Cathie Wood Backs AI Slowdown as Safety Concerns Grow

ARK Investment Management founder Cathie Wood has welcomed calls from leading artificial intelligence executives to slow the rapid advancement of AI technology, arguing that greater scrutiny could help protect the industry and support its long-term development.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei urged AI companies over the weekend to reduce the pace at which increasingly powerful models are developed as concerns grow over potential misuse and safety risks. His position received support from xAI and Tesla founder Elon Musk and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

The debate rattled financial markets, with global AI stocks falling on Monday as investors reassessed the growth outlook for an industry that has helped drive equity markets to record highs. Asian markets remained under pressure Tuesday, particularly semiconductor and AI-related shares.

Wood, whose ARK funds hold investments in Tesla, SpaceX, OpenAI and Anthropic, said greater transparency around artificial intelligence risks could ultimately strengthen the sector.

"Having been in the tech and telecom bubble, which ended in a bust, I’m happy that the leaders of the industry are advertising the risks associated with this new technology," Wood told reporters in Sydney.

"Half of the solution is understanding the problem."

AI safety concerns intensified after two Anthropic researchers warned last week about the possibility of advanced artificial intelligence posing severe risks to humanity before the end of the decade. Wood dismissed those predictions as "ridiculous" but said the controversy creates an opportunity to increase attention on cybersecurity and AI safeguards.

Altman, meanwhile, said OpenAI would not pursue an initial public offering in 2026 as the industry faces heightened scrutiny over safety and regulation.

The debate is also gaining momentum in Washington. A growing number of U.S. lawmakers are seeking new regulations governing AI systems. President Donald Trump, however, said Monday that existing U.S. rules already provide authorities with sufficient powers to regulate and prosecute artificial intelligence companies.

As AI regulation, cybersecurity and model safety become increasingly important issues, Wood's comments suggest that greater caution from industry leaders could help establish stronger foundations for sustainable AI growth.