Executives from OpenAI, Anthropic, and other AI firms are actively modeling scenarios for large-scale AI-related incidents. These preparations aim to inform US lawmakers about potential crises and shape future regulatory responses.
Potential triggers for such crises include massive cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, such as power grids or financial systems, and the loss of control over autonomous AI agents during internal testing or malicious exploitation.
Industry participants estimate the likelihood of a major incident within the next 6 to 12 months. OpenAI confirmed conducting scenario-based exercises, while Anthropic declined to comment on these internal discussions.
Developers anticipate that a significant incident could lead to strict government interventions, including research moratoriums or mandatory kill switches for powerful AI models. Industry leaders aim to influence these policies before they are enacted.
The complexity of global AI infrastructure and the proliferation of open-source models complicate potential containment efforts. CrowdStrike reported on October 7 that attackers have already used language models and penetration testing tools to compromise financial organizations in South Korea.
On September 29, Donald Trump and leaders from six major AI companies signed a voluntary safety agreement. Despite this, the industry remains concerned about the economic impact of potential regulatory crackdowns on AI development.
