OpenAI, Google, Anthropic discussing collaboration on AI safety issues

OpenAI has been engaging with other artificial intelligence companies, including Anthropic and Google, about how they can work together to address safety concerns, a spokesperson confirmed to CNBC on Tuesday. Discussions have been ongoing since Demis Hassabis, the chair of Google DeepMind, released a proposal in July calling for a U.S.-led "Standards Body," the spokesperson said. Hassabis published an essay on X where he suggested establishing a public-private partnership or self-regulatory organization with federal oversight, akin to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. OpenAI, Anthropic and Google are fierce competitors, but the companies have been facing intense pressure to address mounting AI safety and security concerns in recent weeks. On Saturday, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei urged AI companies to slow how quickly they improve their most advanced models, a move that was lauded by Hassabis and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. "Dario's essay points towards the right path forward," Hassabis wrote in a post on X. "The details need working through, but the direction is correct for meeting this critical moment." Altman said he agrees with Amodei on the need to pace the industry's most advanced models. In a post on X, he said a slowdown has been a "primary topic" of discussion at OpenAI in recent weeks, and that the company will have more to share "soon." The Information earlier reported the discussions between the companies. Google and Anthropic did not immediately respond to CNBC's request for comment. Earlier this month, Chris Lehane, OpenAI's chief global affairs officer, published a blog post where he said OpenAI is working to advance "industry-led standards." He said the company will work with other companies to build out a voluntary effort, "with or without government support." "Any industry-led standards would complement—not replace—mandatory federal safeguards and democratic oversight," Lehane said. "But we have entered a different phase of AI capabilities, and everything should be on the table—including considering what can be built voluntarily outside government as an immediate step."