Why would AI risk deniers dismiss negative outcomes but also be afraid of liabilities?

​If people do not appear to be consistent with what they say they believe, look for something else they are being consistent with 

Why would AI risk deniers dismiss negative outcomes but also be afraid of liabilities? 

Most AI risk deniers are being consistent with just wanting to work on whatever projects they find interesting, regardless of societal effects. 

They are being the scientist who invented ice nine in Cat's Cradle. A substance that could destroy the entire world and did. 

Why did the scientist invent it?

Because it was interesting.