OpenAI Says It’s Working With Anthropic, Google on AI Safety

OpenAI is working on steps to address artificial intelligence safety issues with its top competitors Anthropic PBC and Google DeepMind, escalating industry efforts to respond to a groundswell of concern that the technology poses an economic and security threat.

Chris Lehane, the global policy chief for OpenAI, said Tuesday that the company’s engagement with Anthropic and Google had been under way for several weeks. He added that OpenAI does not see the need for an antitrust waiver for the three AI firms to coordinate on safety matters.

“It’s better to try to work together to prioritize safety,” Lehane said at a briefing in Washington.

Anxiety about AI’s existential risks burst into the mainstream following a 3,800-word essay posted Saturday by Anthropic Chief Executive Officer Dario Amodei, who urged restraining development of the most advanced systems so researchers can better understand potential threats. Amodei’s missive was quickly embraced by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and SpaceXAI chief Elon Musk.

Spokespeople for Anthropic and Google DeepMind, a unit of Alphabet Inc., didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.

The companies’ coordination on AI safety has ample precedent, Lehane said, citing the airline industry as an example. “There are many instances over time where companies are trying to help each other on safety,” he said.