Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Sacks Challenges OpenAI and Anthropic Calls to Slow AI
Some technology leaders want companies to slow down the development of the most powerful AI systems.
David Sacks said OpenAI and Anthropic can choose to slow down by themselves.
He argued that they do not need special permission or a new regulator to do this.
Sacks also said the companies may want slower development because dangerous mistakes could create legal and business problems.
He questioned whether one AI safety group is truly independent.
President Donald Trump disagreed with slowing down and said the United States should stay ahead of China.
Trump said safety protections can still be added while development continues.
Other leaders, including Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk, have supported calls for more caution.
The disagreement is about whether safety requires slowing AI or continuing quickly with safeguards.
David Sacks said OpenAI and Anthropic can slow frontier AI development without waiting for government permission.
Sacks argued the companies’ calls for restraint may reflect product-liability and reliability concerns as well as safety goals.
He questioned the independence of Model Evaluation and Threat Research, citing ties to Anthropic investors and staff.
President Donald Trump rejected slowing development, saying the United States must preserve its AI lead over China.
Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk have all expressed support for moderating the pace of advanced AI development.
- Who
- David Sacks, OpenAI, Anthropic, President Donald Trump, Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk.
- What
- A dispute over whether leading AI companies should slow the development of frontier AI systems.
- When
- The dispute intensified over the last few days; Trump made his comments during a weekend trip to Ireland.
- Where
- The discussion took place primarily in the United States and online, with Trump speaking in Ireland.
- Why
- Supporters of slowing cite AI safety and potential harm, while opponents say the United States must protect its lead over China and can use safeguards.
Supporters of Slowing AI Development
Supporters of Continued Development
Pace of frontier research
Supporters of Slowing AI Development
Dario Amodei and Sam Altman have called for slowing the development of cutting-edge AI, and Elon Musk said Amodei was right.
Supporters of Continued Development
Donald Trump rejected slowing down, arguing that the United States needs to preserve its advantage over China.
Need for regulation
Supporters of Slowing AI Development
Supporters of greater restraint emphasize safeguards and concerns that advanced AI could cause severe harm, including existential risks cited by some AI employees.
Supporters of Continued Development
Sacks said OpenAI and Anthropic can slow down voluntarily without a new independent system, suspended antitrust laws, or a regulatory approval process replacing product liability.
Motives for caution
Supporters of Slowing AI Development
Calls to slow development are presented as responses to AI safety and the possibility of damaging misuse.
Supporters of Continued Development
Sacks argued that slowing may also be commercially motivated because unpredictable models could create product-liability exposure and reduce customer confidence.
- Main critic
- David Sacks, chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, criticized calls by OpenAI and Anthropic to slow development.
- Companies discussed
- OpenAI and Anthropic were described by Sacks as leaders of frontier AI development.
- Trump’s position
- Donald Trump rejected slowing development and said, “whoever wins at AI, wins.”
- Safety organization
- Sacks questioned the independence of Model Evaluation and Threat Research, or METR.
- Business concern
- Sacks said product-liability exposure and demand for reliable, predictable models could motivate slower development.
- International concern
- Trump and Sacks emphasized competition with China, while Sacks said China was unlikely to join a global agreement.
- Other voices
- Dario Amodei, Sam Altman, and Elon Musk have expressed support for moderating the pace of advanced AI development.