President Donald Trump has pushed back against growing calls to slow the development of artificial intelligence, arguing that the United States cannot afford to lose its lead over China in the global AI race.
Speaking to reporters during a visit to Ireland, Trump acknowledged that some regulation and “guardrails” may be needed for AI. However, he did not offer specific proposals for new rules and dismissed some warnings about the technology as exaggerated.
“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, and they’re bringing up things that won’t happen.”
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His position comes as concerns over the speed of AI development are growing, including among some of the technology industry’s most prominent figures.
Trump: ‘Whoever Wins AI Wins’
Asked whether AI development should be slowed or subjected to tighter regulation, Trump pointed to the competition between the US and China. He said the US is leading China in AI and that he wants to keep it that way because “whoever wins AI wins.”
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Trump also argued that AI is likely to bring significantly more benefits than harm. While he did not reject regulation altogether, his comments suggest that maintaining America’s technological lead remains a higher priority than imposing broad restrictions on AI development. The comments come at a time when Washington is facing growing pressure to address the risks associated with increasingly powerful AI systems.
AI Safety Debate Intensifies
Trump’s remarks came a day after Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for the industry to slow the pace of AI development so that safety measures can catch up. Other prominent technology figures, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk, have also backed calls for greater caution around increasingly capable AI systems.
House Speaker Mike Johnson has said that some guardrails and safety measures are necessary to ensure AI does not “run away”. At the same time, he has warned that the US cannot afford to lose its technological edge to China, which he described as a national security concern.
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White House Set to Discuss AI Strategy
The White House is expected to hold meetings this week involving officials responsible for cyber policy and science and technology. Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, said the administration is expected to discuss the next steps on AI. Trump could also meet with members of Congress who have raised concerns about the pace of development.
The discussions come as AI becomes an increasingly important political issue in the US, particularly around jobs, data centres, energy consumption, water use and the broader economic impact of automation.
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Former President Barack Obama has also urged Democrats to make AI a political issue, pointing to concerns around children’s safety, job displacement and the economic consequences of rapidly advancing technology.
Indrani Priyadarshini is a journalist and editorial professional specialising in technology, artificial intelligence, smart cities, green energy, and digital transformation. With over four years of experience in tech journalism and digital media, she is known for turning complex industry developments into clear, engaging, and insightful stories. Her expertise spans reporting, editorial strategy, digital publishing workflows, and in-depth coverage of emerging technologies shaping the future.
