AI Security Warnings in the US

Over the last couple of weeks, all of the major AI companies in the U.S. have been campaigning for an “AI pause.” To me, it’s hard to believe that Musk, Altman, and others are motivated by anything other than money and competitive advantage. Does anyone else suspect that the real reason the CEOs of the major foundation-model companies are coming together on this is that their technology has hit a plateau, and they don’t want competitors to surpass them? If they can slow the entire industry down, they can protect their current lead and buy themselves more time. And further, don’t any of the U.S. senators and opinion leaders pushing for an AI slowdown realize that deliberately slowing AI development could put the U.S. at a strategic disadvantage against other powers, China in particular? If the U.S. slows down while others continue advancing, couldn’t they be handing them the opportunity to further surpass the US? The whole thing seems so transparent that, honestly, it’s almost a joke. Anyone else see it this way? Anyone?!