Trump says AI will be 'more good than bad' while OpenAI and xAI leaders unite behind safety concerns amid debate over development pace.
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President Donald Trump on Sunday defended pushing forward with artificial intelligence development despite mounting safety concerns from industry leaders, saying the technology "is going to be more good than bad." The statement marked a direct pushback against calls from Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei for a blanket slowdown in AI development to ensure safety.
The debate intensified over the weekend as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman elaborated on the industry's reasoning for supporting safety frameworks. "We could lose control," Altman said, detailing how AI safety frameworks and a slowdown could work as the industry unites behind concerns about the rapid advancement of the technology.
Elon Musk joined Altman in backing a call for restraint, with both tech leaders supporting Amodei's appeal to Washington to slow AI development. The coordinated position from figures who have historically competed in the AI space signals a rare industry consensus on the need for caution.
Trump's administration, however, has indicated it intends to maintain the United States' competitive edge over China in AI development. The president emphasized the importance of developing AI despite potential harms, framing the technology's benefits as outweighing its risks.
Amodei had called for a blanket slowdown in AI development in the days prior, arguing that without deliberate pacing, the technology could pose existential risks before adequate safety measures are in place.
Sources: 1.