'Whoever wins AI wins': Trump resists industry safety warnings

US President Donald Trump has dismissed calls to regulate or slow down artificial intelligence development, labeling critics as "very negative forces" exaggerating the risks. 

Speaking to reporters over the weekend at his golf course in Ireland, Trump emphasized that the US must prioritize maintaining its technological edge over global competitors. The president framed the rapid development of AI as an existential geopolitical race, declaring that the country that secures dominance in the sector will hold ultimate strategic power. 

"We're leading China in AI. We're the most sophisticated country in the world, and frankly I want to keep it that way because whoever wins AI wins," Trump stated when asked whether the industry should face tighter regulations. 

While acknowledging that basic guardrails could be introduced, Trump rejected warnings about catastrophic scenarios, arguing that critics are bringing up issues that will never happen. Addressing journalists on his flight back to Washington, he insisted he was not minimizing safety concerns, but maintained that AI's potential benefits would far outweigh its drawbacks. 

Artificial intelligence is slated to take center stage when Chinese President Xi Jinping visits the White House on September 24 for bilateral talks with Trump. The high-stakes summit comes amid mounting pressure from tech executives and safety advocates who are urging both superpowers to establish mutual safety standards. Industry leaders - including OpenAI's Sam Altman - have publicly suggested that Washington and Beijing forge a joint pact to prevent uncontrollable AI risks, framing a potential bilateral agreement as a critical step toward global technological stability. 

The debate over pacing AI development has split US lawmakers and technology leaders, with growing calls from both parties to implement safety oversight before the technology outpaces governance mechanisms. However, the Trump administration remains focused on deregulation to ensure American firms outpace Chinese development, setting up complex discussions when the two leaders meet in Washington.

-SA