Amazon joins AI safety debate, urges rigorous testing and safeguards

Amazon has entered the artificial intelligence safety debate, stating that AI labs should release models only when they are safe and fully tested, while stopping short of calling for an industry slowdown. The Seattle firm said it does not see a choice between progress and safety, emphasizing that models should be released when ready, which comes from rigorous testing and strong safeguards. Amazon's comments follow a rare moment of unity among major AI labs, including OpenAI, xAI, Google's DeepMind, and Microsoft, which recently called for a more measured approach to AI development. Amazon develops AI models through its AWS subsidiary and an artificial general intelligence unit, and also provides infrastructure for other AI labs. The company did not say whether it would adopt the safety measures proposed by its competitors, and its statement came after Nvidia and Meta distanced themselves from calls for slower development.