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Welcome to logoff: Everyone but President Donald Trump is making a fuss about artificial intelligence.
what’s happening? President Trump’s posts come as policymakers and tech CEOs debate how to put guardrails on AI development.
“The only control or ‘guardrail’ AI needs is a strong and smart (high IQ!) president. The United States has plenty of that,” he wrote in a post Monday morning. “There’s a SICK conspiracy going on against AI and data centers, but only China is happy about it. Whoever wins against AI wins!”
In a later post, he also claimed that “AI taking over the world, destroying humanity, and all other bad things are a hoax.”
Why is President Trump involved in this issue now? Last week, a debate erupted over super-powered AI (so powerful that some researchers warn it could wipe out humanity). Jacob CoxonThe employee of AI company Anthropic has announced his resignation, citing concerns that the AI giant is “putting our lives on the line” in the race to become a “self-improving superintelligence”.
Since then, lawmakers from both parties, as well as leaders of top AI companies, have begun talking more seriously about slowing AI development.
Why would he care? It’s not entirely clear why President Trump chose to take the mat on this issue, but U.S.-China competition is part of it, as is the economy. President Trump has repeatedly asserted the need to maintain a “golden goose” to explain his support for AI and data centers.
What’s the big picture? Opposition to AI and data centers has become a rare area of bipartisan agreement. As my colleague Dylan Scott reported last month, one poll found that about 75 percent of Americans strongly oppose building AI data centers near where they live. Politicians from both parties are also eager to voice their opposition in response.
But Congress is unlikely to act quickly. That means the quickest route to regulating AI is through the executive branch — and President Trump has gleefully declared he has no interest in taking action.
And then it was time to log off…
It may only be mid-September, but my colleague Allie Volpe recommends starting your vacation plans now (especially Thanksgiving). You can read her case for planning ahead here, along with a gift link.
Have a fun night! See you tomorrow!