US President Donald Trump stated that fears regarding the safety of artificial intelligence (AI) are a "hoax" and criticized calls for increased regulation of the technology. His comments followed remarks by Jack Clark, co-founder of AI company Anthropic, who suggested that a mandatory "kill switch" for dangerous AI might be necessary. Clark's comments came amid growing concerns from various executives about the risks associated with AI, which have led to a decline in shares of some tech companies as investors considered the implications of potential regulatory slowdowns in AI development.
In a series of social media posts, Trump compared warnings about AI to the "Global Warming Scam" and referred to himself as the "Hoax Buster," likening AI safety concerns to the "RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA HOAX." He claimed that there is a "SICK conspiracy" against AI and data centers, suggesting that only China benefits from such fears. Trump further asserted that the only necessary "guardrails" for AI would be a "strong and smart" president.
Chinese state media reported that experts have indicated that the United States' increasing anxiety over China's rapid AI development is distorting its policy priorities. Xin Qiang, a professor at Fudan University, noted that the US is concerned that if it slows down AI development or tightens regulations, China could advance even more quickly.
Clark emphasized the need for society to consider regulations for shutting down AI systems if they become too dangerous, although he mentioned that most labs, including Anthropic, have mechanisms to do so. On the same day, Microsoft AI announced plans to limit the models it is developing, introducing a document outlining its approach to "humanist AI."
The discussion surrounding AI regulation has gained traction, with figures from both sides of the political spectrum, including former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon and Senator Bernie Sanders, scheduled to speak at the "Pro-Human Assembly" in Washington. Sanders has previously stated the need for immediate action to address the uncontrolled growth of AI, citing potential existential threats.
The urgency of the debate has intensified following a viral post by Jacob Coxon, a former Anthropic researcher, who expressed concerns about AI's potential to threaten humanity. Anthropic scientist Evan Hubinger suggested that the risk of AI causing human extinction within the next decade is over 10%. Dario Amodei, Anthropic's CEO, has called for a slowdown in AI development while ensuring that commercial advantages are not compromised. Leaders from rival AI firms, including Sam Altman of OpenAI and Elon Musk of xAI, have also expressed support for industry-wide regulation and independent monitoring of AI development.