Trump says AI safety fears a 'hoax' as he rejects calls for greater safeguards

U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed concerns over artificial intelligence safety as mere "hoaxes" on Monday, criticizing calls for stricter safeguards on the rapidly evolving technology. Jack Clark, a co-founder of AI company Anthropic, suggested a mandatory "kill switch" for dangerous AI, which could be checked by third parties.

This follows warnings from various executives and staff at leading AI firms about the risks posed to humanity. The president mocked these warnings, comparing them to the "Global Warming Scam" and likening them to the "RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA HOAX." Trump also claimed that the only guardrails needed for AI were a "strong and smart president."

Chinese state media reported that experts had warned Washington's growing anxiety over China's rapid AI development was distorting its policy priorities. Clark said that while many labs have their own ways to shut down AI software, lawmakers may need to enforce having one. Microsoft recently became the latest major company to discuss limiting the models it's developing, publishing an outline document on what it called "humanist AI."

Two high-profile figures from opposing sides of U.S. politics, former Trump chief strategist Steve Bannon and progressive Senator Bernie Sanders, are set to appear at the same event to call for a re-evaluation of AI policy.