Divisions emerge in the tech industry over calls for a coordinated AI slowdown

Fears about out-of-control artificial intelligence and suggestions to hit the brakes on the technology's development aren't new, but they have recently found new life as warnings about rogue AI systems causing mayhem grow louder.Several leading AI executives recently voiced agreement on a need for a coordinated slowdown, including international collaboration, to protect humanity from worst-case scenarios. But there are divided opinions, with some tech leaders bristling at the idea that their companies could not ensure safety on their own.Here's a look at what some of the major players have said.Dario AmodeiAnthropic CEO Dario Amodei has issued the most detailed plans for slowing development and ushering in coordination across different companies and countries. Anthropic has long positioned itself as the more responsible and safety-minded of the leading AI companies, ever since its founders quit OpenAI to form the startup in 2021.One of the most widely noted proposals from a recent essay outlining his slowdown plan calls for companies at the forefront of AI, often called frontier labs, to commit to giving “ongoing, employee-like access” to independent outside evaluators.

Evaluator teams would have offices, access badges and company laptops so they can monitor safety practices. Anthropic has committed to doing this, as has OpenAI.Amodei also called for government regulation and intervention, including coordination between frontier AI companies with the help of the U.S. government and the governments of other democratic countries.His plan also includes the U.S.

and other countries working to coordinate with “authoritarian governments.” He acknowledged the difficulty, specifically citing challenges in getting cooperation from China.Amodei said he knows accomplishing his proposals wouldn't be easy, but that he believes “we owe it to humanity to try.”Sam AltmanOpenAI CEO Sam Altman has voiced support for pacing development and moving toward more cooperation across the industry.Days before Amodei's essay was published, OpenAI posted a lengthy text outlining how the company was pushing for mandatory national safety requirements and continuing to support state legislation that “strengthens the broader AI safety ecosystem.” The company also expressed support for working with other frontier AI labs — with or without government support — and working to build global sta… Several leading AI executives recently voiced agreement on a need for a coordinated slowdown, including international collaboration, to protect humanity from worst-case scenarios. Here’s a look at what some of the major players have said.

Dario Amodei Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has issued the most detailed plans for slowing development and ushering in coordination across different companies and countries. One of the most widely noted proposals from a recent essay outlining his slowdown plan calls for companies at the forefront of AI, often called frontier labs, to commit to giving “ongoing, employee-like access” to independent outside evaluators. Anthropic has committed to doing this, as has OpenAI.

Amodei also called for government regulation and intervention, including coordination between frontier AI companies with the help of the U.S. government and the governments of other democratic countries. Amodei said he knows accomplishing his proposals wouldn’t be easy, but that he believes “we owe it to humanity to try.” Sam Altman OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has voiced support for pacing development and moving toward more cooperation across the industry.

Days before Amodei’s essay was published, OpenAI posted a lengthy text outlining how the company was pushing for mandatory national safety requirements and continuing to support state legislation that “strengthens the broader AI safety ecosystem.” The company also expressed support for working with other frontier AI labs — with or without government support — and working to build…