I agree - it is hard not to be cynical. Funding is becoming scarce; IPOs are getting harder.

The hedge funds are trying to back out. I think they realise the web of financing makes them double (triple? quintuple?) exposed.

Amodei wants to manage the narrative and make the slowdown look at least semi-deliberate.

The cynic in me would argue the safety and alignment play has always filled a role of plausible deniability when plans go off track. "Oh well we had to pull the model", etc