World

Trump dismisses calls for AI slowdown from leading tech CEOs

Al Jazeera · 2026-09-13

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: U.S. President Donald Trump dismissed calls from leading tech CEOs for a slowdown in artificial intelligence (AI) development, emphasizing the need for the U.S. to maintain its technological leadership, particularly against competition from China. • Why it matters: The debate over AI regulation has intensified, with bipartisan efforts in Congress to ensure AI systems operate under human oversight, amid growing concerns about the potential risks of unchecked AI advancements. • What to watch next: The ongoing discussions around AI regulation and the responses from both the tech industry and lawmakers will be crucial as the issue becomes a significant topic in the upcoming election cycle.

**Trump Dismisses AI Slowdown Calls from Tech Leaders Amid Growing Concerns**

*Doonbeg, Ireland – September 13, 2026* – U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism regarding calls from prominent tech executives for a slowdown in artificial intelligence (AI) development. While acknowledging the necessity for certain regulations, Trump emphasized the importance of maintaining the United States' leadership in AI technology, particularly in the face of competition from China.

During a press briefing following his participation in the trophy presentation at the Irish Open at Trump International Golf Links, Trump stated, "We can put guardrails, we can do this and that, but I think you have a lot of negative forces that are bringing it up that shouldn’t be bringing it up." He underscored the belief that the U.S. must retain its technological edge, asserting, "Whoever wins AI wins."

Trump's comments come in the wake of a blog post by Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, who urged the AI sector to consider slowing the pace of advancements. Amodei's call for caution was echoed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, both of whom supported the notion that the industry should take a step back to implement necessary safety measures.

The discussion around AI regulation has intensified following the resignation of Jacob Coxon, a former researcher at Anthropic and OpenAI. Coxon cited concerns about AI's potential to exceed human control, a move that has reverberated through both the tech industry and political circles in Washington, D.C. In response to these developments, bipartisan efforts have emerged among lawmakers, including Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer and Republican Congressman Mike Lawler, who introduced a bill aimed at ensuring AI systems operate under human oversight.

As the debate surrounding AI regulation heats up, it has become a significant topic in the current election cycle. The rapid construction of computing warehouses across the U.S. has raised alarms about environmental impacts, particularly concerning water usage and electricity costs. Despite these concerns, Trump has continued to support the expansion of data centers, which have faced growing opposition from segments of the American public.

Former White House AI czar David Sacks, now co-chairing the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, has also weighed in on the ongoing discourse. He challenged the tech leaders' warnings, suggesting that the industry has the capability to self-regulate without external pressure. "Demanding your preferred regulatory framework as the price of that will look like blackmail of the public and the political system. So just do it," Sacks stated, advocating for a more proactive approach from the tech sector.

As the conversation around AI development continues to evolve, the balance between innovation and regulation remains a contentious issue. The divergence in perspectives between tech leaders advocating for caution and a president focused on maintaining competitive advantage highlights the complexities of navigating technological advancement in a rapidly changing landscape.

Source: Al Jazeera
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