OpenAI Seeks Congressional Guidance on AI Development Slowdown and Antitrust Laws

OpenAI has inquired with U.S. lawmakers regarding whether industry-wide agreements to slow down AI development would violate antitrust regulations. This follows calls from OpenAI's chief scientist, Jakub Pachocki, for shared safety standards and potential voluntary delays in R&D. Industry experts note that intense commercial and geopolitical competition makes unilateral slowdowns difficult, while collective action could trigger antitrust scrutiny. U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Jim Banks have introduced legislation to address AI cooperation related to national security, requiring notification to the Department of Justice.