Democrats dismiss President Trump's AI rebranding as unfounded
Senators on the Democratic side criticized President Trump's attempt to rename artificial intelligence as "super intelligence," saying it downplays legitimate concerns about the technology.
President Donald Trump’s effort to rebrand artificial intelligence as "super intelligence" was met with sharp criticism from Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill on Wednesday. The president has described warnings about AI risks as a "hoax" and claimed that only a "strong and smart" president can provide adequate oversight.
Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) responded with a profane remark, calling the proposal "stupid" and moving on to the next question. Other Democrats, including Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), said they would pursue investigations into AI if their party regains Senate control, describing the president’s comments as politically motivated.
The criticism comes as AI researchers have voiced concerns about the technology’s potential dangers. Earlier this month, an Anthropic researcher resigned, warning that AI could pose existential threats within a decade. Senate Democrats have been drafting legislation and reports on AI oversight since 2024, and bipartisan bills are being considered to create a tiered regulatory framework and require independent audits of AI firms.
Republican leaders, such as House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), have downplayed the need for extensive regulation, noting that AI presents both opportunities and challenges regardless of terminology.
A recent Politico poll indicated that 61 percent of Trump voters perceive moderate to significant risks from AI, underscoring a gap between the president’s stance and public sentiment. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) urged the administration to keep advanced AI tools out of Chinese hands ahead of President Trump’s meeting with President Xi Jinping.