President Donald Trump will welcome Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington next week, a meeting that comes amid growing alarm over the safety and capabilities of artificial‑intelligence (AI) systems. Experts say AI models are becoming increasingly powerful and could be misused for cyber‑attacks, surveillance or even research that might aid the development of biological weapons.
Industry warnings and calls for dialogue
Anthropic, the company behind the Claude AI model, disclosed that it has blocked attempts by bad actors to exploit its technology for malicious purposes. The firm’s statement underscores a broader industry concern that AI tools, if left unchecked, could be turned toward harmful ends.
Several AI specialists are urging the United States and China to engage in more robust dialogue to slow the rapid expansion of these technologies. They argue that coordinated international standards could help prevent a dangerous arms race in AI capabilities.
Congressional response and legislative action
Lawmakers are also pressing for legislative guardrails. Democratic Senator Cory Booker has called on President Trump to convene a special session of Congress focused on AI safety. To date, the president has not publicly responded to the request.
On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed the Ratepayer Protection Act, a measure that would require utilities to charge AI data centers for the full cost of the electricity and transmission upgrades they need. The bill aims to prevent the financial burden of these power‑intensive facilities from falling on ordinary consumers.
The Senate, however, stalled the legislation on Thursday. Senator Martin Heinrich of New Mexico argued that the bill does not go far enough to guarantee that data‑center costs will not be passed on to ratepayers. He introduced his own proposal that would mandate tech facilities to cover all of their energy expenses.
Political criticism and partisan tension
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat, criticized Republicans for what he described as inaction on AI safety, linking the issue to broader economic concerns. “What are Republicans doing in the face of the failed economy and the cost‑of‑living crisis and the fact that we have an existential situation that has to be dealt with with respect to AI safety?” Jeffries asked.
Republican Senator John Kennedy responded that he is focused on his own responsibilities, noting, “I’ve got trouble, enough trouble paddling my own canoe, you know, that’s up to them if they want to go home.” The exchange highlights the partisan divide over how urgently Congress should act.
Looking ahead
With the House set to recess for the next seven weeks, immediate legislative action on AI safety appears unlikely. Nonetheless, the upcoming Trump‑Xi summit is expected to include discussions on technology policy, and observers will be watching to see whether the two nations can find common ground on establishing safeguards for powerful AI systems.
Stakeholders from industry, academia and national security circles continue to stress the need for clear, enforceable standards that protect both American citizens and global stability while preserving the innovative benefits of AI.
Original reporting: 40/29 / KHBS (NW Arkansas) — read the source article.
