Leading artificial intelligence executives have publicly called for a slower pace of AI development, while investor Michael Burry criticized the move as self-interested. The statements follow warnings from researchers about potential existential risks posed by advanced AI systems.
Leading AI Executives Advocate for Restraint
On September 14, 2026, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published an essay urging peers in the AI industry to slow the pace of advancement, citing the need for risk mitigation measures to keep pace with technological progress. His call was swiftly echoed by Sam Altman (OpenAI), Elon Musk (xAI), and Demis Hassabis (Alphabet) in posts on the platform X. Amodei’s essay followed remarks from former OpenAI and Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon, who warned that the two labs were "racing straight to self-improving superintelligence and gambling with our lives."
Michael Burry Challenges the Motives Behind the Push
Investor Michael Burry, known for his role in The Big Short, disputed the sincerity of the AI leaders’ calls for restraint. In a post on X and a subsequent Substack entry titled Cassandra Unchained, Burry argued that the push for a slowdown was "self-serving" and served multiple purposes:
- LLMs are not on the path to AGI: Burry stated that current large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Claude lack the "true capacity for reason" and thus pose no immediate existential threat, rendering calls for a slowdown unnecessary.
- Benefits established companies: A slower pace of development would hamper smaller competitors while allowing incumbents like OpenAI and Anthropic to maintain their dominance.
- Fueling hype for public offerings: Burry suggested that framing AI as an extinction-level risk amplifies market excitement, which could benefit companies preparing for initial public offerings (IPOs).
- Masking uncontrollable growth slowdowns: He posited that an intentional slowdown could disguise natural deceleration in the sector.
Burry further alleged that the AI leaders’ push for restraint was a strategic maneuver to enhance their perceived influence ahead of potential IPOs. Neither OpenAI nor Anthropic responded to requests for comment.
Industry Reactions and Broader Context
The debate over AI development speed has intensified amid growing concerns about the technology’s potential risks. While some researchers and policymakers advocate for precautionary measures, others argue that rapid innovation is necessary to address global challenges. The calls for a slowdown come as AI systems grow more capable, with some experts warning of unintended consequences if safeguards are not established in parallel with progress.
The statements from AI executives and Burry’s rebuttal highlight a divergence in perspectives on how to balance innovation with risk management. As the industry grapples with these questions, the public and policymakers continue to weigh the trade-offs between technological advancement and safety.