AI Leaders Urge Slowing Development After Researchers Quit Over Risks

AI industry leaders from rival companies including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google DeepMind, Microsoft, and xAI have jointly called for slowing AI development after a wave of researcher resignations warned of existential risks. The crisis began September 3 with OpenAI's launch of its Astra model, which the company called the start of the AGI era while admitting growing difficulty in controlling its systems. Researchers resigned, with Anthropic's Jacob Coxon accusing labs of "playing with our lives" and warning that AGI could emerge within three years. The industry remains divided, with Nvidia and Meta rejecting a coordinated slowdown. Meanwhile, OpenAI and Anthropic plan IPOs potentially valuing them over $1 trillion, and OpenAI is seeking new funding that could double its valuation to $1.5 trillion.