Tech stocks fall on AI slowdown alert: Industry bosses at loggerheads with Trump over safety fears
The rout on Wall Street came after the heads of leading US AI companies called for a more cautious pace of development of the technology.
David Sacks, a prominent Trump adviser on technology, expressed skepticism about the notion that artificial intelligence (AI) poses an existential threat to humanity. In an interview with CBS News, Sacks dismissed fears surrounding AI as a "panic" driven by political motives during an election season. He stated that instead of overreacting, the focus should be on addressing the issue rationally and acknowledging the potential risks.
Sacks's comments come in response to mounting concerns about advanced AI platforms, which some experts argue could cause catastrophic harm to people. Former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon warned that companies like Anthropic and OpenAI are "gambling with our lives" by developing self-improving superintelligence. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei acknowledged the real dangers associated with AI but criticized the industry for exaggerating the risks. Amodei claimed that if AI systems cannot be controlled, they should not be developed.
Sacks emphasized that the responsibility for ensuring AI safety lies with the companies themselves, urging them to demonstrate how their technologies can be made secure. If they are unable to do so, Sacks argued, they should step aside to allow more capable individuals to take charge. He stressed that AI businesses should not resort to creating fear in the public about their performance and that the industry should not seek government intervention to protect against potential harm.
Sacks further cautioned against overreacting to the development of AI, stating that the risks associated with these technologies can be managed if approached with caution. He expressed a willingness to proceed with AI development safely, rather than risking putting the United States at a competitive disadvantage with China. Sacks argued that imposing restrictions on AI development could lead to an accelerated race by China, which has been rapidly closing the gap with American AI companies.
Written by urgent.news from CBS News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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