Trump claims U.S. has tools to keep AI safe, dismisses concerns as a 'sick conspiracy'

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on September 14 that the United States already possesses the necessary regulatory and criminal tools to manage artificial intelligence companies. His comments appeared to downplay recent warnings from industry leaders regarding the potential dangers and misuse of AI technology.

Writing on his social media platform, Truth Social, Trump argued that the primary requirement for managing the technology is strong leadership. He asserted that the only control or guardrails AI needs is a strong and smart president, claiming the United States currently has that leadership. He also suggested that the ongoing skepticism surrounding AI development is part of a broader, coordinated effort.

Trump characterized the public concern as a "sick conspiracy" targeting AI and data centers, warning that such skepticism would ultimately benefit foreign competitors. He stated that the U.S. already holds significant criminal and regulatory power over AI companies, adding that China is the only party pleased by the current pushback against the industry's growth.

The president's remarks come amid rising public anxiety over the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. Last week, Jacob Coxon, a researcher at the AI startup Anthropic, resigned from his position. Coxon stated that his departure was partly motivated by his belief that the individuals developing AI earnestly believe the technology could pose an existential threat to humanity by the end of the decade. Following calls from several major industry leaders to slow down the pace of AI development, AI-related stocks experienced sharp declines worldwide on September 14.

The debate over AI safety coincides with upcoming diplomatic engagements between the United States and China. Trump is scheduled to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping next week in Washington. Additionally, the two nations had planned a separate meeting in mid-September, led by lower-level government officials, specifically to discuss the potential risks associated with artificial intelligence.