AI fears unite political enemies but Trump resists pressure to act

Washington was recently abuzz with calls for greater control over artificial intelligence (AI), but US President Donald Trump has remained resistant to mounting pressure to introduce such regulations. Notable figures from both sides of the political spectrum, including former strategist Steve Bannon and leftist Senator Bernie Sanders, gathered at a gathering titled "Pro-Human Assembly" to advocate for immediate action.

Bannon, a vocal proponent of the MAGA movement, emphasized the historical significance of this moment, stating, "We have to rise above it. This is a hinge in history." However, he and Sanders, representing the extremes of the political spectrum, remained at odds over the specifics of AI regulation.

Sen. Sanders criticized Congress for being passive on the issue, stating, "Congress, under both Democratic and Republican control, have been asleep at the wheel." Sanders proposed a bill that would temporarily halt the development of advanced AI until a regulatory body is established. Despite numerous failed attempts in Congress, these proposals have yet to gain traction.

Some within the White House and Congress worry that American AI regulation could inadvertently benefit China, prompting Bannon to urge the Trump administration to restrict Chinese access to American AI technologies, including banning Chinese nationals from working in US AI labs. Bannon argued that isolating AI from the Chinese Communist Party is essential to effectively govern this burgeoning technology.

However, President Trump has been reluctant to heed calls for action, dismissing the warnings from AI leaders such as Dario Amodei (Anthropic), Sam Altman (OpenAI), and Elon Musk (xAI), who contend that the technology is advancing too rapidly and poses catastrophic risks. At an event via speakerphone chat, Trump asserted, "The robots will not be taking over. The AI will not be taking over the rest of the world. The whole thing is a hoax."

Republican Congressman Chip Roy defended Trump's skepticism, questioning the sincerity of AI industry's plea for government intervention. Roy questioned the legitimacy of the concern, asking, "Is this a hoax? No, of course not." He stressed the importance of addressing the potential for losing control over AI, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding its future development.