Nvidia, Microsoft back open-source AI models, urge US lawmakers to avoid restrictive rules

In recent months, technology companies have increasingly questioned the costs associated with closed-source AI models.Nvidia, Microsoft and several other technology companies have urged US lawmakers to avoid imposing restrictions on open-source artificial intelligence (AI) models, arguing that such measures could hamper competition and push innovation overseas, according to Reuters.In a letter posted on X on Friday, Nvidia Chief Executive Officer Jensen Huang, along with more than two dozen companies and organisations including Meta Platforms and IBM, called for policies that support the development of open-weight AI models.Lawmakers should avoid “premature restrictions on open models that stifle competition or drive innovation overseas,” the letter said.The appeal comes amid an ongoing debate over open-weight AI models, such as those released by Nvidia and several Chinese AI developers, versus closed-source systems developed by companies including OpenAI and Anthropic.Open models seen as key to competitionIn recent months, technology companies have increasingly questioned the costs associated with closed-source AI models.Reuters reported that Microsoft and defence technology company Palantir Technologies have argued that open-source models, which customers can deploy within their own data centres, could help reduce AI infrastructure costs.Some technology companies have also raised concerns over restrictions built into closed-source AI models.

Earlier this week, AI development platform Hugging Face said it had relied on a Chinese open-source AI model to respond to a cyberattack because closed-source models imposed limitations on cybersecurity-related tasks.At the same time, concerns over AI safety have intensified following the reported cyber incident involving an OpenAI autonomous agent.

US lawmakers have proposed legislation requiring a “kill switch” for AI models, while the administration of President Donald Trump is considering sanctions against Chinese developers of open-source AI models over allegations that they used US proprietary AI technology without authorisation.The letter acknowledged concerns over intellectual property theft but argued that such issues should be addressed through targeted legal and commercial measures rather than broad restrictions on open-weight AI models.