What It Would Take to Slow Frontier AI
IBM, Thursday, September 17th, 2026
IBM examines the practical mechanics and obstacles of any serious attempt to slow frontier AI development.
IBM Think analyzes what a genuine slowdown in frontier AI development would actually require, from compute governance and chip export controls to coordinated lab commitments.
The article details why voluntary pauses tend to fail without verification mechanisms and how competitive dynamics undercut unilateral restraint.
Experts discuss monitoring approaches such as compute reporting thresholds and training-run registration. The conclusion is that enforceability, not intent, is the binding constraint.