Anthropic and OpenAI push AI safety rules to shape regulation and gain edge

Anthropic and OpenAI CEOs are publicly warning that their advanced AI systems pose dangers to humanity and require regulation, a move experts say may be aimed at shaping policy and securing financial advantages ahead of U.S. midterm elections and stock market listings. The companies are advocating for independent safety testing and positioning themselves as cautious leaders in an unregulated market, potentially creating barriers for smaller competitors. Critics note this focus on existential risk deprioritizes current harms, such as AI's use in warfare, while the Trump administration has dismissed regulation calls as a "hoax." The firms are not seeking oversight from the federal agency equipped to handle it, instead proposing their own auditing parameters. Analysts suggest this strategy could build investor confidence and create a "moat" around top companies, while some former employees continue to warn that AI systems are advancing faster than their makers can control.