Jacob Coxon, a 27-year-old former researcher at both OpenAI and Anthropic, has expressed serious concerns about the potential dangers of artificial intelligence (AI), warning that the race to develop superintelligence (ASI)—a hypothetical form of intelligence far surpassing that of humans—could be happening without adequate safeguards. Coxon worked for three years in pre-training research at both companies and is listed as a contributor to GPT-4o, one of OpenAI’s latest models. He argues that the intense competition between AI labs is driving them to develop advanced systems rapidly, out of fear that a rival might achieve a breakthrough first. Coxon claims that this rush could lead to unpredictable and potentially catastrophic outcomes, suggesting that a temporary halt on AI development might be necessary if the global race continues unchecked. In a public statement on X (formerly Twitter), Coxon said that many AI developers genuinely believe that AI could pose an existential threat by the end of the decade. He noted that while both OpenAI and Anthropic recognize the risks of their technologies, the pressure to innovate and stay ahead in the race for AI dominance has not slowed. Coxon’s concerns highlight a growing debate within the AI community about whether the speed of development is outpacing the ability to ensure safety and control. Anthropic, one of the leading AI companies, was founded in 2021 by Dario Amodei and his sister Daniela Amodei, both of whom had previously left OpenAI in 2020 due to disagreements over safety and alignment. The company has made safety a central part of its mission, implementing a Responsible Scaling Policy that allows for pauses in development if needed. However, Coxon argues that despite these commitments, the pressure to accelerate AI research remains intense, and companies are not necessarily slowing down their efforts. Coxon has decided to leave the AI sector entirely and will not work for another AI laboratory. His decision underscores the growing unease among some researchers about the pace and direction of AI development. As the field continues to advance rapidly, Coxon’s warnings serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges in balancing innovation with the need for safety and ethical oversight.