AI chiefs call for slowdown as tech stocks slide

Top artificial intelligence executives have called for a slower pace of AI development, triggering declines in technology and semiconductor stocks across Asian markets.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei urged AI companies to slow improvements in their most advanced models, saying the additional time would allow stronger safeguards and independent testing. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and xAI CEO Elon Musk have also backed the need for caution.

Amodei’s warning followed an Anthropic threat report detailing the misuse of its Claude models for cyber operations, surveillance, fraud and weapons-related activities.

SoftBank shares fell 13.2%, while Kioxia and Tokyo Electron also declined, according to TechEconomy.