OpenAI, Anthropic and Google propose slowing the development of advanced AI, citing safety risks. Critics from the tech industry and policymakers oppose the initiative.
The CEO of Cohere, Aidan Gomez, called the proposal a “cartel under a different name” and linked it to an attempt to exclude competitors. The White House and Donald Trump also oppose such an approach.
The dispute’s significance goes beyond pacing of research: it concerns who will set the rules for advanced AI systems. The underlying materials, however, do not provide details on the slowing mechanism or on formal commitments by the companies.
editorial commentary
Why it matters
The likely consequence is an intensified public debate over where the boundary lies between safety measures and restricting competition. A concrete plan, agreement, or regulatory initiative will be the next observable signal. Substantial uncertainty remains: the available material does not reveal details of the proposal or confirm participants’ motives.