Amodei Urges AI Slowdown; ASML Falls 6.2%

The drop in ASML shares came as AI executives from around the industry called for slowing the development of the most advanced models. Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, published an essay on X laying out concerns that the industry's capabilities could run ahead of the ability to understand and control them. He proposed measures including embedding safety monitors in AI labs and international agreements to limit the overall rate of AI development, acknowledging the steps would not be easy but saying "we owe it to humanity to try."

ASML's connection to this debate is direct: the company makes the advanced chip-manufacturing equipment used to fabricate the powerful semiconductors that run AI models. If pacing development reduces model training or data-center construction, chipmakers may need less capacity, which could mean fewer ASML systems.

Still, the article's author, Johnny Rice, argues that today's reaction is overblown and that ASML remains a solid addition to a well-balanced portfolio. The key question is whether Amodei's proposals gain traction with other AI executives or governments, since any international agreement would require participating governments to limit development rates — a step that is far from assured.