OpenAI Urges US to Lead Global AI Standards 'Now', Warns of a Potential 'Conflict-Ridden' System

OpenAI has called on the U.S. to take the lead in global initiatives to set technical standards for advanced AI, amid growing concerns about the rapid advancement of the technology.

In a blog post on Monday, the company made an appeal to the U.S. to spearhead international efforts to establish global technical norms for cutting-edge AI, including recursive self-improvement.

OpenAI’s CEO’s Sam Altman, along with other industry leaders, has advocated for a coordinated slowdown in the development of this powerful technology, cautioning that it could soon self-improve and become uncontrollable by humans.

OpenAI underscored the need for a mechanism to promote complementary national and international frontier standards, common measurements, and incident reporting protocols for better collective action.

“Leading now will determine whether the United States shapes the global AI framework or watches a fragmented, uneven, and conflict-ridden system take hold around it,” OpenAI said in the blog post.

OpenAI also brought attention to the idea of “pacing” AI development to ensure that alignment research and its deployment stay ahead of capabilities, thereby ensuring AI acts in line with human values.

Altman To Brief UN on AI Security

Altman is reportedly set to brief the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday on AI and international security during the UN General Assembly in New York.

Earlier this month, Altman ruled out an IPO in 2026, calling the timing "ill-advised" as the company focuses on AI safety and alignment challenges and coordination with governments. The decision follows reports that OpenAI had been considering a potentially trillion-dollar IPO.

Trump Vows Not To Stifle AI Growth

Last week, President Donald Trump announced plans to appoint a new AI adviser and establish an “AI force.” Trump said the administration would not "hinder or stifle" the industry’s growth, while using existing criminal and civil justice systems to address wrongdoing.

Furthermore, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent argued that AI companies should take responsibility for their products, rejecting calls for a federal "liability shield". “It is humans who are responsible, not the AI,” the Treasury Secretary said when asked if he backs Trump’s opposition to a regulatory crackdown on the AI industry amid calls to slow down.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.

Image via Shutterstock