OpenAI has consulted with U.S. lawmakers regarding the potential antitrust implications of an industry-wide agreement to slow down artificial intelligence development. The company sought clarification on whether competitors could legally coordinate such a pause to address safety concerns, as reported by WIRED.
The inquiry follows a call from OpenAI chief scientist Jakub Pachocki for voluntary industry slowdowns until safety standards are established. Currently, companies face significant commercial and geopolitical pressure to maintain development speed, as competitors risk losing their market position if they pause independently.
Legislative efforts are underway to address these challenges. Senators Adam Schiff and Jim Banks have introduced a bill that would protect certain security-focused collaborations between AI firms, provided they notify the Justice Department in advance.
Financial incentives remain a major barrier to coordination, as rapid advancements often lead to substantial funding increases. Experts note that without a formal mechanism, companies like OpenAI and Anthropic are driven to continue development to prevent rivals from gaining a competitive advantage.
The discussion intensified following the resignation of former Anthropic engineer Jacob Coxon, who publicly cited concerns about the existential risks posed by AI. Meanwhile, U.S. policy continues to evolve, with President Donald Trump signing an executive order in June establishing a voluntary review process for advanced models.
