Trump blasts AI critics but may meet tech leaders amid calls for more regulation

Presidential candidate Donald Trump criticized AI technology critics on Monday, branding them part of a nefarious scheme. However, a senior Republican leader later indicated that Trump would engage with technology executives. In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump argued that the United States was in a competition with China for artificial intelligence supremacy, with the victor ultimately commanding the global economy.

He claimed that his administration had prevented potentially harmful AI activities, asserting that a "strong and smart" president, with the United States possessing such qualities, could effectively regulate AI. Trump expressed concern over the rapid advancement of AI and the proliferation of data centers, labeling it a "sick conspiracy" orchestrated by China.

After his comments, House Speaker Mike Johnson suggested that Congress could oversee AI regulation and that Trump would converse with tech leaders during the following week. Later in the day, Trump reiterated his stance, stating that China would not hinder AI development, with AI and data centers being the most significant economic growth engines in history, surpassing oil, gold, diamonds, or even the internet.

He also called Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, who confirmed that the United States would not succumb to opposition against AI data centers and regulation. Trump discussed his conversation with Huang on speakerphone during a live interview on the All In business and technology summit.