‘Too little, too late’: critics perplexed and suspicious of AI leaders’ call for a slowdown

Critics have expressed confusion and suspicion towards AI leaders' recent call for a slowdown in the development of artificial intelligence. The Anthropic boss' efforts to enhance safety have received a largely negative response, with OpenAI's CEO and Elon Musk also advocating for a slowdown in "reckless" AI development. An editorial highlights the importance of controlling AI, emphasizing that humanity cannot simply outsource its survival to artificial intelligence.

The safety debate surrounding advanced AI gained momentum when whistleblowers warned last week that the most sophisticated AI could pose an existential threat to humanity. Just seven days prior, AI enthusiasts were enthusiastically experimenting with OpenAI's latest model, GPT-6 Astra, which was marketed as a versatile tool for various daily tasks. However, by Wednesday, cutting-edge AI appeared considerably less appealing.

Resigning Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon sparked alarm when he warned that AI developers earnestly believe the technology could lead to humanity's demise by the end of the decade. While his concerns centered on artificial superintelligence, a yet-to-be-created version of AI that outperforms humans in most domains, his comments, along with the chorus of experts echoing his sentiments, caused considerable concern among those in the AI field.