David Sacks: Opposing the Use of Regulatory Uncertainty to Suppress Open-Source AI, Warning of an AI Duopoly Seeking to Eliminate Competition

David Sacks, Chairman of the President's Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, stated on platform X that using regulatory uncertainty as a competitive tool is "completely unacceptable." Regulatory decisions should be based on facts, logic, and evidence, not on deliberately creating fear and uncertainty (FUD). He is unsure whether venture capitalist and AI policy researcher Dean Ball is admitting to a "regulatory capture" strategy or merely predicting it will happen. Regardless, leveraging regulatory agencies to issue "soft law" warnings to create market panic, thereby forcing regulated companies to distance themselves from Chinese open-source models, should not be tolerated.

David Sacks pointed out that Dean Ball believes there is no need to directly ban Chinese open-source models. Simply guiding regulators to issue relevant warnings can influence corporate decisions by generating enough doubt and uncertainty, and these reasons "don't even need to be very strong."

In response, Sacks argued that any regulatory decision must have a solid foundation, and policies should not be implemented indirectly through "manufactured doubt." He warned that bypassing public debate processes in this way not only erodes the foundation of the rule of law but could also open the door for future regulatory abuse against any company or individual.

Sacks further stated that AI policy is currently at a critical turning point. Leading closed-source labs, which have already formed a duopoly in AI model revenue, are now attempting to leverage government power to eliminate open-source competitors.

He called on other companies and developers in Silicon Valley who still support open competition to clearly state their position and jointly safeguard the open ecosystem in the AI field.