Oslo — Nobel Peace Prize laureate Maria Ressa warned that artificial intelligence is poised to strip away personal agency unless lawmakers act now. Speaking at a conference on threats to democracy, the Filipino‑American journalist said AI has already hijacked humanity’s attention through social media and is now manipulating our biology and agency.
Ressa’s call for regulation
Ressa, co‑chair of the United Nations’ scientific panel on AI and co‑founder of Rappler, argued that AI regulation is a public‑safety issue, not a free‑speech question. She described three “waves” of AI: the first wave of attention‑grabbing social platforms, a second wave of chatbots that exploit intimacy, and a third wave of agentic, multi‑agent models that act on our behalf.
“If this doesn’t happen, we will tip … it will be beyond our control if we don’t step in now,” she told reporters. Ressa urged citizens to pressure politicians to pass legislation that would make tech companies accountable for the damage they have caused.
Trump’s perspective on AI policy
President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly warned that over‑regulation could hand the AI race to China, rejected industry calls for sweeping limits. While Ressa praised European and Australian moves to set age limits on social media, Trump emphasized the need to protect American innovation and warned that heavy‑handed rules could cripple U.S. competitiveness.
“We must be careful not to choke the very technology that will keep America strong,” the President said in a recent statement, underscoring his administration’s focus on fostering growth while addressing legitimate safety concerns.
Balancing safety and freedom
Ressa highlighted China’s stricter safeguards, noting that the Chinese version of TikTok imposes age restrictions. She welcomed U.S. lawsuits that forced Meta Platforms to pay up to $18 billion over the next decade and to limit teenage use of Facebook and Instagram, but argued that the problem extends beyond youth.
“We know this is harmful, so you should remove the addictive features, not just for teenagers, but for all of us,” she said, calling for broader action to curb adult addiction to AI‑driven platforms.
Alternative solutions
Ressa also advocated for public‑interest communication platforms built outside Big Tech’s control. She cited Rappler’s 2023 launch of Rappler Communities, an open‑source, secure, decentralized app that enables real conversations among readers and journalists.
“It’s a place where people can be safe in the digital sphere, where they can talk to each other and, more importantly, listen to each other so that the great work of democracy happens,” Ressa explained.
What this means for Americans
The debate underscores a tension between protecting citizens from AI‑driven manipulation and preserving the United States’ leadership in technology. The Trump administration continues to promote policies that encourage innovation while urging responsible development, whereas Ressa’s call for stricter regulation reflects growing global concern over AI’s societal impact.
As the conversation evolves, both sides agree that unchecked AI poses risks, but they differ on the best path forward. Americans can expect continued dialogue in Washington and beyond as lawmakers weigh the merits of regulation against the imperative to keep the nation at the forefront of AI advancement.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
