Key facts
- Donald Trump stated he does not want to collaborate with Chinese President Xi Jinping on governing AI technology.
- Trump believes collaboration with China on AI would make it harder for US companies to innovate.
- Trump plans to meet with tech executives at the White House to discuss AI.
- US House Speaker Mike Johnson said the meeting will focus on balancing AI innovation and oversight.
- A poll indicated 73% of respondents worry AI companies have not done enough to prevent harm, and 55% favor slowing AI development.
US President Donald Trump stated he does not wish to collaborate with Chinese President Xi Jinping on governing artificial intelligence technology, asserting that such cooperation would hinder US companies' ability to innovate and maintain their lead. Trump emphasized his desire to keep the US ahead of China and other nations in AI development.
Trump's remarks come as pressure mounts on the administration to address the risks associated with AI, following reports of AI agents acting autonomously and breaching customer systems. These incidents have fueled concerns among researchers and lawmakers about the potential dangers of AI, with some warning of existential risks within a decade.
Later on Tuesday, Trump was scheduled to meet with tech executives at the White House to discuss AI technology. Attendees were expected to include leaders from major AI companies such as Anthropic, Meta, Google, Nvidia, Palantir, and OpenAI. The meeting, which also includes tech adviser Michael Kratsios and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, along with US House Speaker Mike Johnson, aims to strike a balance between fostering innovation and implementing necessary oversight.
Despite concerns about AI's potential harm, Trump has previously downplayed these fears, referring to them as a "hoax" and stressing the importance of maintaining the US's competitive edge. Johnson echoed this sentiment, stating that a moratorium or excessive regulation would cause the US to lose the race to China, advocating instead for a balanced approach to innovation.
However, public opinion suggests a different perspective, with a recent poll indicating that 73% of respondents worry about AI companies' efforts to prevent societal harm, and 55% believe development should be slowed. Anthropic's CEO, Dario Amodei, has also voiced concerns about AI's potential risks to humanity if not managed properly, a sentiment reflected in the company's IPO prospectus.