Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI, Google sued over call to ‘pace’ AI development
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told NBC News that Meta will not join OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceX AI in a coordinated effort to slow AI development. This split occurs as Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceX AI face a federal antitrust lawsuit alleging they illegally agreed to decelerate progress to harm competition. Simultaneously, Anthropic is petitioning a US appeals court to overturn a Pentagon designation that labels the company a national security supply chain risk due to disputes over safety guardrails.
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- ✓ Meta will not join Amodei, Altman, and Musk on a coordinated AI slowdown.
- ✓ Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceX AI are accused in a federal lawsuit of illegally agreeing to decelerate AI progress to hinder competition.
What changed
Mark Zuckerberg explicitly rejected the AI slowdown advocated by Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, and Elon Musk.
Live updates
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Meta Rejects Coordinated AI Slowdown Amid Antitrust Litigation
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told NBC News that Meta will not join OpenAI, Anthropic, and SpaceX AI in a coordinated effort to slow AI development. This split occurs as Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceX AI face a federal antitrust lawsuit alleging they illegally agreed to decelerate progress to harm competition. Simultaneously, Anthropic is petitioning a US appeals court to overturn a Pentagon designation that labels the company a national security supply chain risk due to disputes over safety guardrails.
Why it matters
The industry is divided between leaders advocating for safety-driven pauses and those prioritizing rapid deployment. This tension is now manifesting in legal battles over market competition and national security certifications.
What is confirmed
- Meta will not join Amodei, Altman, and Musk on a coordinated AI slowdown.
- Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceX AI are accused in a federal lawsuit of illegally agreeing to decelerate AI progress to hinder competition.
Still unconfirmed
- Anthropic is seeking a reconsideration of a ruling that upheld the Pentagon's decision to label the company a national security supply chain risk.
- Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and former White House AI czar David Sacks support holding AI developers financially responsible for product safety.
What to watch next
- US appeals court ruling on Anthropic's national security supply chain risk status
- Court rulings in the antitrust litigation against OpenAI, Google, and SpaceX AI
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (4)
- www.theverge.com — The AI Superintelligence Slowdown
- shattered.io — Zuckerberg Rejects AI Slowdown, Breaks From 3 CEOs
- ailawsuittracker.com — AI Lawsuit Tracker: 246 AI Lawsuits, Status & Rulings
- economictimes.indiatimes.com — DARIO AMODEI LAWSUIT - The Economic Times
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Anthropic IPO plans proceed amid antitrust lawsuit over AI pacing
Anthropic prepares for a large initial public offering despite a federal antitrust lawsuit and an industry-wide call for slower AI development. The litigation alleges that Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceX AI illegally agreed to decelerate progress to harm competition. This financial move comes shortly after the Anthropic CEO advocated for a development slowdown based on safety concerns. The company continues to offer frontier Claude models and managed agent infrastructure for application development.
Why it matters
The lawsuit targets a perceived conspiracy among top AI firms to limit the speed of innovation. Bill Gates has publicly supported the need for slower development due to self-regulation risks. This tension between safety-driven deceleration and market competition now intersects with Anthropic's transition to a public company.
What is confirmed
- Anthropic provides frontier Claude models and managed agent infrastructure for creating applications and agents.
- Daniela Amodei is the president and co-founder of Anthropic.
Still unconfirmed
- Wall Street expects a mega initial public offering from Anthropic.
- The Anthropic CEO called for an industry-wide slowdown over safety concerns weeks ago.
What to watch next
- Official IPO filing date for Anthropic
- Court rulings on the federal antitrust lawsuit
- Public responses from OpenAI or Google regarding the IPO timing
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (3)
- platform.claude.com — Anthropic - Claude Platform
- www.cnn.com — Anthropic expected to IPO despite market uncertainty, AI slowdown...
- en.wikipedia.org — Daniela Amodei - Wikipedia
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Lawsuit Alleges AI Firms Agreed to Slow Development
Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceX AI, and Google face a federal antitrust lawsuit alleging an illegal agreement to decelerate advanced AI development, harming market competition and user services. The litigation follows public calls from industry leaders to limit development speeds. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has also joined public appeals to slow down development, citing concerns over self-regulation and potential harm. The lawsuit claims this pacing strategy has diminished the value of user services.
Why it matters
The lawsuit against major AI developers highlights growing concerns over the rapid advancement of AI technology and its potential risks. Industry leaders have publicly called for slowing down AI development, citing concerns over safety, regulation, and potential loss of control. This has sparked debate over the need for self-regulation versus government intervention in the AI sector.
What is confirmed
- Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has urged the AI industry to slow the development of frontier models and proposed greater independent oversight.
- OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Tesla chief Elon Musk support Amodei's call for slowing AI development.
- Elon Musk's SpaceXAI has agreed to testify before the New York City Council after a subpoena standoff.
Still unconfirmed
- Bill Gates warned lawmakers that self-regulation is insufficient and AI could cause billions of deaths.
What to watch next
- The outcome of the federal antitrust lawsuit against Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceX AI, and Google
- The New York City Council hearing with SpaceXAI
- Further public appeals or actions by industry leaders and regulators on AI development pace
confidence 85%Sources used for this update (3)
- www.wionews.com — Humans may lose control of AI: Anthropic CEO calls for ... - WION
- www.nydailynews.com — Elon Musk's SpaceXAI to testify before NYC Council after subpoena
- www.amny.com — Elon Musk’s SpaceXAI agrees to testify before City Council ...
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Lawsuit Accuses AI Firms of Illegal Pacing Agreement
Four leading artificial intelligence developersface a federal antitrust lawsuit brought by paid subscribers who allege an illegal horizontal agreement to decelerate advanced technology development. Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceX AI, and Google stand accused of harming market competition and diminishing the value of user services through this pacing strategy. The litigation follows public coordination and calls from industry leaders to limit development speeds. Meanwhile, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates has joined separate public appeals to slow down development, warning lawmakers that self-regulation is insufficient and that the technology could cause billions of deaths.
Why it matters
The September 18 federal court filing places intense scrutiny on how industry leaders manage the pace of artificial intelligence research and safety limits. Legal experts are currently questioning the merits of a potential antitrust exemption for the coordinated actions of these firms. Additionally, regulatory pressure is mounting as the New York City Council separately subpoenas SpaceX AI for an upcoming safety hearing.
What is confirmed
- Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceX AI, and Google were sued in federal court on September 18 for allegedly agreeing to slow the pace of AI development.
- The antitrust lawsuit was brought by a class of four paid subscribers.
- Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates joined calls to slow AI development and urged lawmakers to regulate the technology.
Still unconfirmed
- Bill Gates warned that artificial intelligence could potentially cause billions of deaths.
What to watch next
- Developments regarding the antitrust lawsuit filed against Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceX AI, and Google in federal court.
- The outcome of the New York City Council safety hearing involving SpaceX AI.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (10)
- www.anthropic.com — Newsroom \ Anthropic
- www.anthropic.com — Home \\ Anthropic
- claude.com — The AI for Problem Solvers | Claude by Anthropic
- www.wionews.com — ‘Could kill billions...’: Bill Gates backs calls to slow AI ...
- academy.claude.com — Claude Academy · Learn to work and build with Claude
- en.wikipedia.org — Anthropic - Wikipedia
- www.americanactionforum.org — Pacing the AI Frontier: An (Allegedly Illegal) Agreement
- www.americanactionforum.org — Pacing the AI Frontier: An (Allegedly Illegal) Agreement
- ailawsuittracker.com — Latest AI Lawsuits Filed (2026): The 30 Newest Cases
- claude.com — Build live dashboards and animate explainers with Claude
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Tech Giants Sued Over AI Pacing Strategy
Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceXAI are facing a federal antitrust lawsuit brought by paid subscribers who claim the companies made an illegal agreement to decelerate advanced artificial intelligence development. Subscribers argue this pacing strategy harms market competition and reduces the value of services like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok. Meanwhile, the New York City Council subpoenaed SpaceXAI for an upcoming safety hearing. The legal scrutiny follows public calls from industry leaders to coordinate development limits.
Why it matters
The federal lawsuit targets major artificial intelligence firms over coordinated slowdowns allegedly designed to restrict market competition. At the same time, local governments are testing their authority to compel answers from dominant technology companies through legislative subpoenas.
What is confirmed
- Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceXAI face a federal antitrust lawsuit over an alleged agreement to decelerate advanced artificial intelligence development.
- Paid subscribers argue that the pacing strategy restricts market competition and diminishes consumer subscription value.
- The New York City Council issued a subpoena to SpaceXAI for an upcoming safety hearing.
Still unconfirmed
- Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for coordinated limits on the pace of frontier-AI development on September 12, 2026, requesting government support to address antitrust constraints.
What to watch next
- Resolution of the federal antitrust lawsuit filed against Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceXAI.
- The outcome of the New York City Council safety hearing involving SpaceXAI.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (3)
- clsbluesky.law.columbia.edu — Can Frontier AI Labs Lawfully Agree to Slow Down to Save ...
- forklog.com — Safety or Oligopoly: Why AI Leaders Want to Slow the Race
- www.indiaweekly.biz — Starbucks’ ‘sugar-free’ protein drinks contain more sugar than a Reese’s cup, lawsuit claims
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AI Giants Sued Over Slowdown Strategy as NYC Scrutinizes SpaceXAI
Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceXAI face a federal antitrust lawsuit accusing them of an illegal agreement to decelerate the development of advanced artificial intelligence. Paid subscribers argue this pacing strategy restricts market competition and diminishes the worth of consumer subscriptions across services like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok. Meanwhile, the New York City Council issued a subpoena to SpaceXAI for an upcoming safety hearing to test whether local governments can compel answers from major tech companies.
Why it matters
The lawsuit targets a rare alignment where rival artificial intelligence executives previously called for a slowdown in building increasingly capable systems. The case raises complex questions about whether collaborative efforts to manage frontier technology risks violate antitrust laws or constitute standard safety standard setting. Policymakers and legal experts remain divided on how antitrust frameworks should treat industry cooperation on existential risks.
What is confirmed
- Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceXAI face a US antitrust lawsuit alleging they illegally coordinated efforts to slow artificial intelligence development.
- The plaintiffs are paid subscribers to ChatGPT, Claude, Grok, and Gemini who argue the alleged agreement limits competition and reduces value for consumers.
- The CEOs of rivals Anthropic, OpenAI, Google's DeepMind, Microsoft, and xAI previously called to slow the development of increasingly capable artificial intelligence systems.
Still unconfirmed
- Developing common artificial intelligence safety standards does not, by itself, undermine competition and antitrust law should allow companies to work together to prevent serious safety risks.
What to watch next
- Developments in the federal antitrust case Buist v. Anthropic regarding the Sherman Act theory and class deadlines.
- The outcome of the New York City Council safety hearing involving SpaceXAI and voluntarily testifying executives.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (6)
- www.wionews.com — 'AI could kill us...': Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI, Google ...
- www.thedailystar.net — Ten days that changed the course of AI | The Daily Star
- note.com — What US AI Governance Has Mandated and What It Has Left Voluntary: The Distribution of 'Stopping Power' Across Government, Business, and the Judiciary
- itif.org — Developing Safety Standards Is Not Inherently Anticompetitive | Blogs | Oct 2, 2026 | ITIF
- aitechmodel.com — AI Slowdown Lawsuit: Antitrust Case Over Pace the Frontier
- www.yahoo.com — New York City Council subpoenas Musk's SpaceXAI as AI giants ...
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Tech Giants Subpoenaed and Sued Over AI Development Pacing
Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI, and Google face an antitrust lawsuit in federal court alleging an unlawful agreement to coordinate a slowdown in advanced artificial intelligence development. Subscribers claim this pacing strategy harms market competition and diminishes the value of paid subscriptions across services like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok. Meanwhile, the New York City Council escalated scrutiny by issuing a subpoena to SpaceXAI for an upcoming safety hearing, while Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Meta agreed to testify voluntarily under oath.
Why it matters
The federal antitrust lawsuit targets major artificial intelligence firms for allegedly collaborating to decelerate technological advancements, threatening consumer choice and pricing. This legal pressure coincides with municipal oversight efforts aimed at corporate accountability and safety protocols regarding frontier models. Regulatory scrutiny continues to intensify as lawmakers and consumers question cooperative industry standards.
What is confirmed
- Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI, and Google are defendants in a federal antitrust lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
- The New York City Council subpoenaed SpaceXAI to testify at its 5 October artificial intelligence safety hearing.
- Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Meta agreed to appear under oath at the NYC Council hearing.
Still unconfirmed
- The four major artificial intelligence companies entered an illegal agreement to coordinate a slowdown in the development of advanced models.
- The pacing strategy harmed competition and devalued paid subscriptions to services like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok.
- A September 12 essay by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei urged unlawful industrywide cooperation.
What to watch next
- Testimony from tech executives at the 5 October New York City Council safety hearing
- Company responses to the federal antitrust complaint in the Northern District of California
confidence 95%Sources used for this update (2)
- www.chiefintech.com — Lawsuit Alleges Illegal AI Slowdown Agreement Among Tech ...
- thenextweb.com — New York City Council subpoenas Musk’s SpaceXAI over AI safety
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AI Giants Sued Over Alleged Slowdown Pact
Individual subscribers filed a federal antitrust lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California against Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI, and Google. The complaint alleges that the four major artificial intelligence companies entered an illegal agreement to coordinate a slowdown in the development of advanced models. Plaintiffs claim this pacing strategy harmed competition and devalued paid subscriptions to services like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Grok. The lawsuit specifically points to a September 12 essay by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, arguing it urged unlawful industrywide cooperation.
Why it matters
The legal action arrives as Washington grapples with how to balance rapid technological growth against calls for stronger safeguards. President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson arranged meetings with top artificial intelligence industry leaders at the White House to discuss oversight. Meanwhile, international bodies are stepping up scrutiny, highlighted by the United Nations Security Council holding its first-ever high-level briefing on the safety risks of advanced models.
What is confirmed
- Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI, and Google were sued in a federal antitrust lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
- The lawsuit alleges that the four companies made an illegal deal to slow down their respective artificial intelligence development.
- The plaintiffs are individual subscribers to artificial intelligence services who claim the slowdown pact devalued their paid subscriptions and harmed competition.
- The complaint points to a September 12 essay by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei as urging illegal industrywide cooperation.
Still unconfirmed
- President Donald Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson are expected to meet with artificial intelligence industry leaders at the White House to debate oversight and development pacing.
What to watch next
- Developments in the federal antitrust case filed in the Northern District of California, including initial defense filings.
- White House discussions between President Trump, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and artificial intelligence industry leaders regarding oversight.
confidence 100%Sources used for this update (9)
- nsjonline.com — Lawsuit alleges Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI, Google colluded ...
- kimkj.com — AI, Economy, and Global Conflict Daily Briefing, Weekend Edition · Saturday, September 26, 2026 (PDF, 39....
- www.foxnews.com — Trump rejects rogue AI fears, pushes 'lets' win' message with Anthropic CEO
- broadbandbreakfast.com — Lawsuit Says Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI and Google Made ...
- www.yahoo.com — The CEOs Who Built the Models Briefed the Security Council on the Risks Those Models Created
- qazinform.com — Trump, Johnson expected to meet AI industry leaders amid oversight debate
- www.thetrentonline.com — OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and SpaceXAI Sued Over Alleged Pact ...
- aiunderstanding.org — Federal antitrust lawsuit targets Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI ...
- www.midpage.ai — The “Pace the Frontier” Complaint: What the Defense Will ...
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AI Labs Face Scrutiny Over Safety and Antitrust Lawsuits
Four paying subscribers filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceXAI on September 18 in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. The plaintiffs allege these companies violated antitrust laws by entering an illegal agreement to coordinate a slowdown in AI development. The suit claims this pacing strategy harmed competition and devalued paid subscriptions. The complaint points to public statements from July and September as evidence of the coordinated effort to limit the speed of model development, while broader industry discussions focus on legal liability and safety standards.
Why it matters
The litigation comes as the artificial intelligence industry undergoes a broader transition regarding practical applications, international safety standards, and legal liability. Industry figures have debated containment responsibilities, with executive statements emphasizing developer accountability for system control. These competing pressures place major labs at the intersection of antitrust enforcement and operational oversight.
What is confirmed
- Four paying subscribers filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceXAI on September 18 in the US District Court for the Northern District of California.
- The plaintiffs allege these companies violated antitrust laws by entering an illegal agreement to coordinate a slowdown in AI development.
Still unconfirmed
- Jensen Huang stated that AI labs that cannot contain their systems must shut down, placing accountability on developers rather than regulators.
What to watch next
- Further court decisions from the US District Court for the Northern District of California regarding the proposed class action antitrust lawsuit.
confidence 80%Sources used for this update (2)
- note.com — AI Shifts from 'Task-Execution Tool' to 'Social Infrastructure with Safety, Legal Responsibility, and Cost Optimization' (September 21–September 25, 2026)
- www.gadgetreview.com — Jensen Huang: AI Labs That Can’t Control Their Systems Must Close
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AI firms face class action lawsuit over alleged development pact
Four paying subscribers filed a proposed class action lawsuit against Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceXAI on September 18 in the US District Court for the Northern District of California. The plaintiffs allege these companies violated antitrust laws by entering an illegal agreement to coordinate a slowdown in AI development. The suit claims this pacing strategy harmed competition and devalued paid subscriptions. The complaint points to public statements from July and September as evidence of the coordinated effort to limit the speed of model development.
Why it matters
The case centers on whether industry leaders colluded to stifle innovation to maintain market control or safety. This follows a period of rapid AI expansion where companies have publicly debated the risks of automated development. The legal outcome could redefine how AI firms coordinate on safety and regulatory standards.
What is confirmed
- Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and SpaceXAI are defendants in a federal antitrust lawsuit.
- Four paying subscribers filed the lawsuit.
- The lawsuit alleges an illegal pact to slow the development of AI.
- The plaintiffs claim the alleged agreement harmed paid users and competition.
Still unconfirmed
- The complaint cites specific September statements and a July public statement calling for government action on automated AI development as evidence of the pact.
- A lawyer associated with the case stated that the leaders of Anthropic and OpenAI cannot be trusted.
What to watch next
- Court ruling on the motion to certify the case as a class action
- Response filings from the four named AI companies
- Discovery of internal communications regarding development pacing
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (5)
- www.aol.com — Nvidia's CEO says there's a ‘0% chance’ AI ends the world in 2030 — as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google and SpaceXAI are sued over alleged pact to slow AI
- www.techspot.com — Anthropic, OpenAI, Google and SpaceXAI face lawsuit claiming AI slowdown harms subscribers and violates antitrust laws
- finance.yahoo.com — AI giants sued in California over alleged illegal pact to slow AI development
- www.cnbctv18.com — Anthropic, OpenAI and Google sued over alleged deal to slow AI development
- www.etvbharat.com — Anthropic, OpenAI, Google And SpaceXAI Sued Over Alleged Deal To Slow AI Development
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AI Giants Sued Over Alleged Pact to Pace Development
Four paying subscribers filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI, and Google. The plaintiffs allege the companies entered into an illegal agreement to coordinate a slowdown in AI development. The suit claims this collusion restrained progress and devalued paid subscriptions. A lawyer associated with the case stated that the leaders of Anthropic and OpenAI cannot be trusted. The companies are accused of using a pacing strategy to limit the speed at which their individual models are developed.
Why it matters
Antitrust laws prohibit companies from colluding to restrict competition or stifle innovation. This legal challenge targets the industry's most prominent developers, questioning whether calls for AI safety and pacing are covers for illegal market coordination.
What is confirmed
- Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI, and Google are defendants in an antitrust lawsuit.
- The lawsuit alleges the four companies illegally agreed to slow their AI development.
- Four paying subscribers filed the lawsuit in federal court.
Still unconfirmed
- The coordinated AI slowdown devalues subscriptions.
- Leaders of Anthropic and OpenAI cannot be trusted.
What to watch next
- Court ruling on the motion to dismiss or allow the case to proceed
- Official legal responses or filings from the four named companies
- Discovery of internal communications regarding development pacing agreements
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (12)
- Politico — Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI, Google sued over call to ‘pace’ AI development
- thehill.com — ‘You can’t trust anything’ from Anthropic, OpenAI leaders, lawyer says
- Breakingthenews.net — AI giants face lawsuit over slowdown calls
- Unite.AI — Consumers Sue Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI and Google Over Alleged AI Pact
- finance.biggo.com — AI Giants Face Antitrust Lawsuit Over Calls to Slow Development; Four Companies Accused of Illegal Collusion
- Bloomberg Law News — OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, SpaceXAI Hit With Antitrust Lawsuit
- The Hill — Lawsuit accuses Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI, Google of AI pacing ‘collusion’
- Yahoo Finance — Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, SpaceXAI Accused of Collusion
- www.hngn.com — AI Giants Sued Over Alleged Pact to Slow Development of Models
- www.yahoo.com — Antitrust lawsuit targets Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, SpaceXAI AI slowdown
- dailypost.ng — Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, SpaceXAI sued over AI slowdown deal
- www.wlbt.com — Lawsuit says Anthropic, OpenAI, SpaceXAI and Google made illegal agreement on AI slowdown
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