Debate over the pace and safety of artificial intelligence (AI) development is intensifying in the United States. Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, has voiced support for President Donald Trump, who opposes AI regulation, arguing that fears surrounding AI lack scientific basis. As discussions about AI safety mechanisms and regulatory measures grow, the technology is likely to become a significant issue in the upcoming November midterm elections.
According to Bloomberg, Huang criticized the notion of slowing AI development during a technology conference, the All In Summit, held in Los Angeles on September 14. He stated, "Scientific predictions about the future are less valid because they are not based on science," referring to claims that AI could lead to human extinction as lacking scientific support.
During the conference, Huang received a call from President Trump, which he put on speakerphone for a five-minute conversation. Huang agreed with Trump’s opposition to AI regulation, stating, "The recent debate about AI risks is framing it as if there is a choice between innovation and safety." He added that companies could voluntarily slow down or halt AI development if they feel they are losing control.
Trump dismissed the AI risk narrative during the call, asserting, "Robots will not take over the world." He claimed there is a "terrible conspiracy" targeting AI and data centers, suggesting that only China would welcome such actions. He reiterated that the only necessary control for AI is a "strong and smart president," criticizing the push for increased regulation.
Vice President JD Vance also criticized calls for stricter regulations in the AI sector, likening them to a "Trojan horse" that could create barriers to market entry, ultimately benefiting established AI companies.
One of the main reasons the Trump administration is cautious about AI regulation is competition with China. There are concerns that slowing down AI development in the U.S. could allow China to gain an advantage.
Recently, Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, called for a slowdown in AI development and stronger safety measures. This sentiment has been echoed by Elon Musk, CEO of XAI, and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, as industry debates over AI risks continue to grow. According to Reuters, Trump is expected to meet with leaders of AI companies this week or early next week to discuss corporate responsibilities regarding AI safety and the government's role.
Amid these developments, a coalition is forming in U.S. politics around AI regulation. According to the Financial Times, a "Pro-Human Assembly" event in Washington on September 15 will feature prominent progressive Senator Bernie Sanders and far-right activist Steve Bannon, both advocating for stronger regulations to mitigate AI's negative impacts. Despite their opposing political views, they share common ground on the issue of AI regulation.
Senator Sanders has recently called for a permanent ban on the development of "superintelligent AI" and the establishment of a new federal regulatory agency dedicated to AI. Bannon has aligned with this stance, using it to criticize the lax AI policies of the Trump administration among his populist supporters.
In Congress, there is a growing bipartisan push for enhanced AI safety measures and oversight, with proposals for legislation that includes a ban or temporary halt on superintelligent AI development and mandatory "kill switches" for high-performance AI systems. The rising number of AI data centers and their associated energy costs have also become contentious, prompting legislation to prevent the burden of infrastructure investment from falling on regular electricity ratepayers.
However, achieving consensus on comprehensive AI regulation in Congress is expected to be challenging. The House is entering its final session before the November 3 midterm elections, but Republican leadership has indicated a reluctance to rush comprehensive regulations, citing concerns about hindering U.S. AI competitiveness. Additionally, the Trump administration's cautious approach to AI regulation suggests that substantial legislative action is unlikely before the midterms.
As the midterm elections approach, AI regulation and data center issues are emerging as critical topics directly affecting voters' lives. Both Republican and Democratic supporters in the U.S. express concerns about AI, and there is growing opposition to the rapid construction of AI data centers. A recent NBC poll indicated that about two-thirds of Americans believe AI poses a high or very high level of risk to society.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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