Trump rejects AI slowdown, says US leads China in artificial intelligence

Silicon Valley executives, including Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei, have warned that China’s rapid progress in artificial intelligence could erode the United States’ current lead, raising concerns comparable to those about superintelligent systems threatening humanity. Industry insiders say the pace of Chinese investment and talent recruitment is narrowing the gap, prompting calls for coordinated policy measures to preserve the U.S. advantage while addressing broader safety and security risks associated with advanced AI.

When asked this week whether he supports proposals to slow AI development because of cybersecurity, public‑safety, and existential worries, former President Donald Trump rejected the notion, emphasizing geopolitical competition. “We’re leading China in AI,” Trump said, adding that maintaining the United States’ position is essential because “whoever wins AI, wins.” His response underscores the view among some policymakers that strategic dominance, rather than precautionary regulation, should guide the nation’s AI strategy.