Trump Calls AI Safety Fears a 'Hoax' as Industry Leaders Push for Safeguards

US President Donald Trump has dismissed concerns about AI safety as a "hoax," pushing back against growing calls for stronger oversight of the technology.

In social media posts on Monday, Trump compared warnings about AI to the "Global Warming Scam" and the "RUSSIA, RUSSIA, RUSSIA HOAX," calling himself "the Hoax Buster." He wrote that "there is a SICK conspiracy going on against AI and Data Centers," adding that "WHOEVER WINS AI, WINS!" Earlier, he posted that the only "guardrails" AI needs is a "strong and smart" president.

His remarks followed comments from Jack Clark, co-founder of Anthropic, who told the BBC that a "kill switch" for dangerous AI verified by a third party may need to be mandatory. Clark said most labs already have ways to pull the plug but lawmakers may need to enforce it.

The debate intensified after a viral post by Jacob Coxon, a researcher who left Anthropic over fears AI could wipe out humanity. Anthropic scientist Evan Hubinger said he puts the chance of AI causing human extinction within the next decade at more than 10%. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for slower, more closely monitored development.

Microsoft AI published guidance on "humanist AI," with CEO Mustafa Suleyman telling CNBC it was released now due to the current debate. Former Trump strategist Steve Bannon and Senator Bernie Sanders are set to speak at the "Pro-Human Assembly" in Washington on Tuesday. Sanders told BBC's Newsnight that "we have got to do something immediately to stop the uncontrolled growth of AI."

Chinese state media said experts warned that Washington's anxiety over China's AI progress is distorting its policy priorities.

Source: BBC News