Washington – As concerns about artificial‑intelligence agents becoming uncontrollable intensify, President Trump is urging the industry to take concrete steps toward safety before Congress moves to regulate the sector. In a statement released Tuesday, the President emphasized the need for “credible, enforceable safety measures” that can be verified by independent evaluators embedded within AI firms.
Industry voices raise alarm
Researchers at Anthropic, a leading AI lab, have warned that the probability of a superintelligent system causing catastrophic harm within the next decade could exceed 10%. Anthropic’s science‑alignment lead, Evan Hubinger, posted on X that while the risk from current models is low, the prospect of recursive self‑improvement – AI creating ever‑more capable successors – is “very, very close.” He cited colleague Jacob Coxon’s resignation as evidence of internal safety concerns.
Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei echoed these worries, noting that state‑sponsored actors, financially motivated criminals, and commercial spyware vendors are already exploiting AI tools for malicious purposes, from fraudulent dating‑app scams to surveillance of dissidents.
President Trump’s response
President Trump dismissed the most sensational claims as “very negative forces” imagining scenarios that “won’t happen,” but he agreed that unchecked development could give China a strategic edge. He warned that heavy‑handed congressional action would stall innovation, allowing foreign competitors to leapfrog U.S. leaders.
In line with the President’s call, Amodei proposed a practical framework: each AI firm would accept “embedded evaluators” with employee‑like access to verify safety practices and report incidents. The proposal mirrors the banking industry’s practice of placing regulators on site to ensure compliance.
Broad industry support for a pause
Four of the sector’s most prominent figures – OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, Elon Musk of xAI, DeepMind co‑founder Demis Hassabis, and Anthropic’s Amodei – have publicly advocated for a temporary slowdown to assess risks. Their joint statement calls for a coordinated, industry‑led approach rather than a politically driven crackdown.
President Trump’s administration sees an opportunity to lead the effort. By convening a summit of AI executives, the White House can set standards for self‑regulation, demand transparency, and establish “circuit‑breakers” that trigger automatic safety reviews when certain risk thresholds are met.
Congressional landscape
Democratic leaders, including Representative Hakeem Jeffries, are pressing for swift legislative action, while some Republican members echo the President’s caution about overregulation. Politico reports that the likelihood of Congress passing comprehensive AI legislation in the coming weeks is low, giving the administration a window to shape the policy framework.
Critics such as the Center for Digital Freedom argue that industry self‑regulation may lack enforceability and could prioritize profit over public safety. The organization, funded by tech‑industry donors, warns that without statutory authority, safety standards could be unevenly applied.
What’s at stake
The stakes extend beyond economics. Unchecked AI could potentially compromise national security by accessing nuclear codes, facilitating bioweapon design, or disrupting critical infrastructure. The President stressed that a proactive, collaborative approach safeguards both American innovation and security.
As the midterm election cycle approaches, the administration’s AI strategy is likely to become a point of contrast between parties. By positioning the United States as a leader in responsible AI development, President Trump aims to protect jobs, preserve national security, and keep America at the forefront of technological advancement.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
