1,200+ AI Workers Urge US Government Aid for AI Slowdown Plan

More than 1,200 employees from major artificial intelligence laboratories, including Anthropic, Google DeepMind, OpenAI, and Meta, have collectively signed a statement urging the U.S. government to assist in developing the necessary tools to potentially slow down AI development. This initiative, titled “Pacing the Frontier,” was published on a Tuesday and signifies a rare moment of unity among companies typically engaged in intense competition. The statement has garnered signatures from notable figures within the AI sector, such as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and several of his co-founders, alongside OpenAI chief scientist Jakub Pachocki, Meta chief scientist Shengjia Zhao, and Anca Dragan, head of AI safety and alignment at Google DeepMind. The broad consensus across these rival organizations highlights significant concerns within the industry regarding the rapid advancement of AI capabilities.

Tyler Johnston, founder of the AI watchdog group Midas Project, commented to Fortune that the agreement among staff from different companies on this specific point is striking, given the prevalent rivalries and disagreements in the field. He emphasized that such strong consensus serves as a warning that warrants serious attention. While the statement does not currently advocate for an immediate halt to AI development, it explicitly calls for Washington's support in fostering an international effort to create both technical and governance frameworks. These frameworks would empower the global community to "pace" AI development, particularly addressing the risks associated with AI systems capable of designing their own successors at a pace that outstrips human comprehension and control.

Peter Wildeford, head of policy at the AI Policy Network, informed Fortune that the signatories are not seeking an immediate pause in AI progress. Instead, their primary concern lies with the trajectory of technological advancement. Wildeford further explained that these individuals desire the "optionality" to implement a slowdown at some future juncture, with the assurance of third-party support when such a need arises. This collective appeal from AI professionals underscores a growing awareness of the potential existential risks associated with unchecked AI advancement and the desire for proactive measures to ensure responsible development. The statement's publication follows a recent security breach that has reportedly caused significant concern within the AI industry, adding further urgency to discussions about AI safety and control mechanisms.