The tech industry is in a state of chaos, with big players like Anthropic and Google DeepMind calling for a slowdown in AI development, citing safety concerns. But could this be a ploy for regulatory capture or a genuine plea for safety standards?

Jonathan Kanter, the former antitrust chief for the US Department of Justice, now a professor at Washington University and Carnegie Mellon, believes we need basic rules to govern AI. His stance: no antitrust exemptions, no cartels, but clear guidelines to ensure safety and competition.

Kanter argues that the fear of unregulated AI innovation is driving calls for regulation, but there’s a fine line between forming a cartel and seeking safety. Companies don’t like each other, but they collectively fear the unknown. They need a government overseer to set the rules, much like we have traffic laws on roads.

The AI debate is complex, with libertarian voices like David Sacks approvingly retweeting calls for robust regulation. This signals a shift in how we view tech giants and their role in society. Kanter’s view is that while we need to be cautious, we shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater; antitrust exemptions could be harmful.

In essence, we’re in the midst of inventing cars without rules. The tech industry is asking for a driver, and the government might just be the best choice to provide that.