Is Big Tech’s AI slowdown a safety pact or a cartel?

Overall, a handful of sources told The Verge they believe that the verbal agreement made by the AI leaders is a step in the right direction. NYU’s Reese said he “do[es] not think it’s all hot air.” Apollo Research CEO Marius Hobbhahn called it “a good idea,” saying “it’s one of the best things for safety in a long time if it actually happens.” The Midas Project’s Tyler Johnston said it was a “good sign.” Redwood Research CEO Buck Shlegeris said it was “some great news — obviously it’s hard to know whether this is going to convert into anything real, but I’m feeling cautiously optimistic.” All agreed, though, that there was still a lot of work to do to make this verbal commitment a reality, particularly when it comes to making it an ironclad agreement.