Is Big Tech’s AI slowdown a safety pact or a cartel?
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What's this about?
When OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, Google DeepMind cofounder Demis Hassabis, and SpaceX head Elon Musk loosely agreed over the weekend to slow down AI development, skeptics spotted an ulterior motive immediately. The AI titans had declared that their aim was to "pace the frontie
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A high-tech conference room with a large table, where tech industry leaders are gathered around a signed document with a padlock symbol on it, each holding a copy. On the wall behind them, a giant screen displays a countdown timer labeled 'AI Development Clock'.
Caption: When the pace-setters agree to slow down, it's time to lock the race.
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Based on the original story on theverge.com.
Editor's note
This development highlights how high-profile AI leaders, often seen as the vanguard of innovation, might be concerned about the potential risks of unchecked AI development. It raises important questions about whether their caution is a proactive safety measure or part of a larger industry strategy, potentially akin to a cartel.
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Panel 1
*Setting: A high-tech lab. Alex is working on a futuristic AI device, while Sam stands nearby looking skeptical.* Sam (deadpan)
Alex: We’re going to slow down AI development to ensure it’s safe and beneficial for everyone!
Sam: Yeah, and pigs can fly.
Panel 2
*Setting: Same lab. Robin has just burst in, carrying a stack of papers and looking excited.* Sam (skeptical)
Robin: Guess what? The big tech companies are forming a safety pact!
Alex: That’s amazing! They’re looking out for the greater good!
Sam: Or they’re just buying time to get their patents in place.
Panel 3
*Setting: Same lab. Alex, Sam, and Robin are now gathered around a computer screen displaying news articles about the AI slowdown.* Sam (smiling)
Robin: Either way, I’m going to start my own AI company tonight!
Alex: Wait, aren’t you worried about safety?
Sam: She’s not. She’s just Robin.
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