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AI Safety & Responsible AI

AI development moratorium

A proposed or actual pause in specified kinds of AI development.

Example

A policy proposal calls for pausing a defined group of large training runs.

Why people use it

It creates space for review or other action by proposing a pause on specified development.

What you'll hear

“Exactly which work would the pause cover?”

What this means for you

Read the specific activities and conditions covered rather than relying on the label.

Can you control it?

No

No direct control. This describes a wider issue, concept or result rather than something you can simply switch on or off in a tool.

Common questions

Does a moratorium necessarily cover all AI research?
No. Scope, duration and enforcement vary by proposal.
Can it be temporary?
Yes. A proposal can include a duration or conditions for ending the pause.
Does announcing support create an enforceable rule?
Not by itself. Legal force and enforcement depend on the specific arrangement.

Related terms

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