AI Leaders Are Calling for a Slowdown. Trump’s Team Says It’s on Them

AI companies that want to collaborate on safety standards without antitrust scrutiny will have to seek government waivers or guidance themselves.

Several leading AI figures, including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Elon Musk, have publicly called for a slowdown in the development of artificial intelligence due to safety concerns. Amodei proposed government intervention to allow AI companies to collaborate on standards without violating antitrust laws and to establish international coordination, even with China. However, Donald Trump's team, specifically David Sacks of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, rejected the idea that AI leaders need external permission to slow down, suggesting such calls might be a veiled attempt to form a cartel. US officials, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, are wary of any regulatory measures that could cede the global AI leadership race to China, emphasizing the economic and national security implications. Despite the government's stance, some AI companies are considering voluntary measures, like granting third-party evaluators access to their systems, to demonstrate responsible development.

The conflicting stances between AI leaders advocating for a regulated slowdown and the Trump administration's insistence on self-regulation highlight a growing tension between safety concerns and national competitiveness in AI development. The administration's skepticism suggests a distrust of industry motives, viewing calls for a slowdown as potentially anti-competitive rather than purely altruistic. This dynamic forces AI companies into a difficult position, balancing the need for cautious development with the risk of government intervention or falling behind international rivals.

The White House's primary concern appears to be maintaining the US lead in AI over China, viewing it as a critical economic and national security imperative. This geopolitical consideration heavily influences their approach to regulation, pushing back against any measures that could impede domestic progress. Consequently, any attempts by AI firms to coordinate on safety standards may face significant hurdles, with the government likely preferring a hands-off approach unless direct threats to national security emerge.