US nonprofits seek court freeze on advanced AI development

A coalition of digital safety and consumer watchdogs has sued Anthropic, Google, Meta, OpenAI and SpaceX in San Francisco Superior Court, seeking an emergency injunction against next-generation AI model training and deployment. The Irreplaceable Education Fund, Public Citizen, Heat Initiative and Alliance for Secure AI allege the companies cannot prevent catastrophic harm and want development paused until the technology can be shown to remain under human control.

The complaint alleges violations of California’s unfair competition law through threats to public health and interference with property, including computer systems. It cites AI-driven cyberattacks, other harmful behaviours and the developers’ own warnings about losing control of their systems. The organisations also say responding to rapidly advancing models has diverted their resources.

The Irreplaceable Education Fund says an enforceable freeze would require government inspections, monitoring of major computing facilities and authority to halt prohibited work, rather than restrictions solely on public releases. Its proposed oversight options include independent evaluators, strict liability and an independent regulator, with federal minimum protections preserving stronger state measures.

The plaintiffs also advocate agreements with China and an international treaty to limit risks without undermining competitiveness. Their demands contrast with President Donald Trump’s support for rapid AI expansion. They are urging incoming Democratic lawmakers to act while seeking immediate relief through the courts.