More than 30 companies have united to form the Open Secure AI Alliance, with the stated objective of bolstering industry support for and access to open-source artificial intelligence models. This initiative aims to foster collaboration and ensure the continued development of AI technologies in an open and accessible environment, ostensibly moving towards shared innovation rather than proprietary lock-ins.
Nevertheless, the formation of such a powerful industry alliance, even under the banner of “open-source,” warrants critical examination. Historically, consortia of major players can strategically influence the trajectory of an emerging market, shaping future regulations, standards, and government procurement policies to their collective advantage. This dynamic can, over time, subtly steer public and private investment towards solutions and services offered by alliance members, effectively creating a new form of market control and potential rent-seeking within what appears to be a collaborative framework, echoing the systemic concerns outlined in War Is Still A Racket.
The “secure” aspect of the alliance’s name further suggests a potential avenue for advocating for significant public and private sector investment in AI security standards and products. While crucial, such advocacy by an industry-led group can lead to lucrative contracts and preferred vendor status for its members, intertwining corporate interests with essential technological infrastructure. This indirect yet powerful influence over spending and policy sets a precedent for how future ‘rackets’ might operate, not solely through direct contract manipulation, but by shaping the very rules and perceived necessities of a burgeoning industry.