WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Monday rejected calls to slow the development of artificial intelligence (AI), labeling concerns about its risks as a "hoax" and emphasizing that the United States is engaged in a technological race with China. Trump's stance contrasts with a growing number of industry leaders and bipartisan lawmakers who warn that AI could soon advance beyond human control.
Executives from leading AI companies, including OpenAI's Sam Altman, Anthropic's Dario Amodei, and SpaceXAI's Elon Musk, called for collaboration to manage AI development responsibly. On Capitol Hill, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, is working with Democrats on legislation to address AI's potential catastrophic risks, including its use in developing biological weapons.
Former President Barack Obama and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have urged the Democratic Party to prioritize AI as a national security issue. Trump, however, attributed the political backlash to a conspiracy led by China, the U.S.'s main competitor in AI.
In a series of social media posts, Trump stated, "AI taking over the World, destroying Humanity, and all other things bad, is a HOAX." He asserted that the only control AI needs is a capable president, claiming that his administration has already prevented AI from causing harm.
Calls for action have intensified following a warning from a former researcher at Anthropic about the potential for AI development to lead to catastrophic outcomes. Amodei expressed concerns that AI could soon be capable of causing significant damage, while Altman announced a delay in OpenAI's initial public offering until 2027 due to safety concerns.
Despite the urgency expressed by AI leaders, Trump and several Republican allies have dismissed the need for government regulation, questioning the motives of Altman and Amodei. The Defense Department promoted an "AI-First" initiative, emphasizing American interests over altruism.
Democrats are using this moment to push for regulatory reforms. At a fundraiser, Obama suggested that AI should be a central focus for the Democratic agenda leading up to the 2028 presidential primary. Clinton echoed this sentiment, stating that AI has become too dangerous for partisanship to hinder progress.
China's rapid advancements in AI have prompted Trump to allow U.S. companies to proceed with minimal constraints. China's spy chief warned that AI development could threaten the Communist Party's control, while the foreign ministry criticized the U.S. debate as fearmongering.
In the U.S. House, bipartisan efforts are underway to address AI's risks, including a bill proposing independent government auditors in AI labs and a federal "kill switch" for emergencies. However, it remains uncertain whether House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Trump ally, will permit such legislation to advance.
Johnson stated that a moratorium on AI development is not feasible due to competition with China, emphasizing the need to balance national security with the safety of AI models. He remarked, "We need to handle this new technology like we have others in the past and make sure we’re doing everything we can responsibly to also not smother American innovation."