Donald Trump has defended rapid artificial intelligence development, warning that excessive regulation could weaken US competitiveness against China.
US President Donald Trump has dismissed some warnings about the risks of artificial intelligence as a “hoax,” arguing that the United States must avoid measures that could slow the development of the rapidly advancing technology.
Trump made the remarks during a phone conversation with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang while a technology conference was taking place in Los Angeles. He used the call to push back against growing calls for tighter controls on artificial intelligence and emphasized the importance of maintaining US leadership in the sector.
Trump warned that excessive regulation could weaken America’s position in the increasingly competitive global AI race. He argued that slowing development could ultimately allow China to gain an advantage in one of the world’s most strategically important emerging technologies.
The comments come as governments, technology companies and researchers continue to debate how quickly AI should advance and what safeguards should be introduced to address potential risks.
Trump said opposition to rapid AI development could benefit what he described as “negative forces” that do not want the technology to progress. He suggested that political groups could be among those resisting faster development while also raising the possibility that China could benefit from efforts to slow US innovation.
The president’s remarks highlight the growing link between artificial intelligence and the broader technological competition between Washington and Beijing. AI has become a major area of competition, with both countries seeking leadership in advanced computing, semiconductors and next-generation digital technologies.
Nvidia, led by Huang, has become one of the most influential companies in the AI boom because its chips and computing systems are widely used to develop and operate advanced AI models.
Huang also pushed back against some of the more alarming predictions surrounding AI, describing certain claims about potentially catastrophic consequences as lacking a scientific basis. However, he acknowledged that concerns over AI safety should not simply be dismissed.
According to Huang, potential risks deserve serious attention, but safety concerns should not automatically become a justification for halting technological progress.
The comments from Trump and Huang reflect a broader debate over how governments and the technology industry should balance innovation with responsible AI development. Supporters of faster progress argue that maintaining technological momentum is important for economic growth, national security and global competitiveness.
Critics, meanwhile, have called for stronger safeguards to address risks including misuse, misinformation, cybersecurity threats and the potential impact of increasingly capable AI systems.
Trump’s latest remarks indicate that his administration is emphasizing US leadership in AI while opposing restrictions that could significantly slow development. With China expanding its own AI capabilities, the debate over technological leadership, regulation and safety is likely to remain a major issue.
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