AI-generated editorial illustration; not a documentary photograph.
OpenAI, Anthropic and Google DeepMind have been discussing AI safety for several weeks, according to OpenAI global policy chief Chris Lehane. TechCrunch reported the disclosure on September 15, 2026, citing remarks Lehane made to reporters and earlier reporting by Bloomberg.
A Possible Standards Body
The talks may extend beyond informal coordination. According to The Information, as cited by TechCrunch, the three companies have been working on an AI industry standards body. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reportedly told employees that such an organization might need to proceed without U.S. government support.
Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis had separately called in July for a U.S.-backed watchdog capable of examining advanced models and coordinating slowdowns if serious dangers emerged. The source does not establish whether the companies have agreed on the structure, authority or membership of any standards organization.
Pressure for Joint Action
The discussions were disclosed after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published an essay calling for AI companies to cooperate on slowing frontier AI development and reducing catastrophic risks. TechCrunch reported that leaders including Altman and Hassabis supported the appeal. Altman also said OpenAI would work with Anthropic to bring third-party evaluators into safety monitoring.
Antitrust Questions
Coordination among major competitors could create antitrust concerns if it were found to restrict competition. Amodei proposed a narrow government waiver for safety cooperation, but Lehane reportedly argued that the companies do not require one. The source does not report a regulatory determination on whether the discussions comply with antitrust law.
Independent Oversight
Lehane also said OpenAI supports a provision in the FRONTIER Act that would require leading frontier AI laboratories to admit independent verification organizations for safety assessments. TechCrunch said it contacted OpenAI, Anthropic and Google for comment, but the report included no additional company responses or details about what the private talks have produced.
Source: OpenAI, Anthropic, Google have been in talks on AI safety for weeks
SIGNAL TITANS
Leave a Reply