OpenAI Collaborating With Google and Anthropic on AI Safety, Report Says

OpenAI is working with competitors Anthropic and Alphabet’s Google DeepMind on artificial intelligence safety initiatives, according to a Bloomberg News report published Tuesday. The collaboration was disclosed by Chris Lehane, OpenAI's global policy chief, amid growing global concerns over the potential existential risks posed by advanced AI systems.

A Collaborative Effort on Safety

Lehane stated that the ChatGPT maker has been in discussions with Anthropic and Google for several weeks, according to the report. He emphasized the importance of a unified approach to safety, stating at a Washington briefing, "It’s better to try to work together to prioritize safety."

Significantly, Lehane also noted that he does not believe the three leading AI firms would require an antitrust waiver to coordinate on safety matters. This suggests the collaboration is focused on establishing common standards and protocols rather than on commercial or product development activities that could raise competitive concerns.

Regulatory and Political Context

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The discussions come as AI executives and policymakers increase their focus on regulation. Lehane, who was in Washington to meet with lawmakers, said that OpenAI would support bipartisan legislation aimed at mitigating catastrophic AI risks, Bloomberg reported.

This move by the industry's top players reflects a broader trend of proactive engagement with regulators. It follows a recent call from several leading AI lab heads for a temporary pause in the development of the most advanced AI technologies to allow time for safety research to catch up.

Verification and Company Stance

Reuters, which initially reported on the Bloomberg story, noted that it could not independently verify the report. According to Reuters, OpenAI, Alphabet, and Anthropic did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the collaboration.