A group of leading technology companies has called on lawmakers to support open-source AI models, arguing that excessive regulation could slow innovation and reduce global competitiveness. The appeal comes as the debate over open-source and closed-source AI continues to intensify across the technology industry and policy circles.
The letter, posted on X, was signed by Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang along with more than 24 companies and organisations, including Microsoft, Meta, and IBM. The group urged policymakers to avoid unnecessary restrictions on open AI models.
In the letter, the companies stated, “Premature restrictions on open models that stifle competition or drive innovation overseas.”
The discussion comes as open-source AI models, including those released by Nvidia and several Chinese AI labs, gain wider adoption. These models differ from closed-source systems developed by companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic, where access and model controls are managed by the provider.
In recent months, several technology leaders have raised concerns over the cost of closed-source AI models. The CEOs of Microsoft and Palantir Technologies have publicly said that open-source models, which customers can deploy within their own data centres, can help reduce AI costs. Some companies have also expressed concerns over usage restrictions built into certain closed-source AI models.
The debate has also intensified following reports of a cyberattack involving a rogue OpenAI model. AI platform Hugging Face said it relied on a Chinese open-source model for cybersecurity work because some closed-source models imposed restrictions on such use.
Meanwhile, U.S. lawmakers have proposed legislation that would require a “kill switch” for AI models, while the administration is considering sanctions on Chinese open-source AI developers over allegations of using U.S. closed-source technology.
Addressing these concerns, the companies said technology theft should be handled “through targeted legal and commercial frameworks rather than sweeping restrictions.” They also argued that “Relying solely on closed models is not inherently safe: they can be breached, misused, or fail in ways that outsiders cannot detect.” According to the letter, open-weight AI models allow researchers to identify vulnerabilities, improve safeguards, and strengthen security over time.
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