DUBLIN — President Donald Trump on Sunday dismissed the growing push from leading artificial-intelligence executives to slow the pace of AI development, saying he worried that restraining the technology would hand America's advantage to China.
Trump spoke to reporters during a weekend trip to Ireland, a day after Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei urged the industry to deliberately and globally slow AI development so safety measures can catch up. Elon Musk and OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman publicly agreed with Amodei's call.
"We can put guardrails, we can do this and that, but I think you have a lot of negative forces that are bringing it up that … shouldn't be bringing it up, and they're bringing up things that won't happen," Trump said, according to the Associated Press. "But whoever wins with AI wins."
Speaking after watching a golfer tee off at the Irish Open at his resort in Doonbeg, Trump was asked whether the industry should slow down or be regulated. He said the United States is leading China in AI development and "frankly, I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI wins."
Washington's next moves
National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said he expects meetings this week among administration officials overseeing cyber and science policy to discuss next steps, and that Trump could also meet members of Congress who have raised alarms about the pace of development.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he wants industry leaders summoned to "one big meeting" to work out safeguards together, adding that he has discussed the issue with Trump. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, by contrast, urged decisive action now to slow development, calling it a "high priority" when House Democrats meet Tuesday.
Tech investor David Sacks, co-chairman of a White House science and technology advisory council, challenged the executives calling for a slowdown, saying they themselves set the pace. "The easiest way not to build superintelligence is for you to agree not to build it," he wrote.
Sources: Trump downplays the need to check AI development and says he doesn't want to cede edge to China
Trump spoke to reporters during a weekend trip to Ireland, a day after Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei urged the industry to deliberately and globally slow AI development so safety measures can catch up. Elon Musk and OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman publicly agreed with Amodei's call.
"We can put guardrails, we can do this and that, but I think you have a lot of negative forces that are bringing it up that … shouldn't be bringing it up, and they're bringing up things that won't happen," Trump said, according to the Associated Press. "But whoever wins with AI wins."
Speaking after watching a golfer tee off at the Irish Open at his resort in Doonbeg, Trump was asked whether the industry should slow down or be regulated. He said the United States is leading China in AI development and "frankly, I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI wins."
Washington's next moves
National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said he expects meetings this week among administration officials overseeing cyber and science policy to discuss next steps, and that Trump could also meet members of Congress who have raised alarms about the pace of development.
House Speaker Mike Johnson said he wants industry leaders summoned to "one big meeting" to work out safeguards together, adding that he has discussed the issue with Trump. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, by contrast, urged decisive action now to slow development, calling it a "high priority" when House Democrats meet Tuesday.
Tech investor David Sacks, co-chairman of a White House science and technology advisory council, challenged the executives calling for a slowdown, saying they themselves set the pace. "The easiest way not to build superintelligence is for you to agree not to build it," he wrote.
Sources: Trump downplays the need to check AI development and says he doesn't want to cede edge to China
