Trump says AI risks can be managed by a "high-IQ" president, rejects guardrails

President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social on Monday that the United States does not need regulatory guardrails for artificial intelligence, stating that a "strong and smart (high IQ!) president" is enough to address any risks. He also suggested the administration has "tremendous criminal and regulatory power" to act against AI companies, referencing Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei.

Amodei, in a recent essay, urged AI firms to slow development, a view echoed by OpenAI chief Sam Altman, who said his company would adopt proposed safeguards. Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon resigned, warning that AI development could be lethal, a sentiment echoed by colleague Evan Hubinger.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called for a briefing with administration officials, and House Speaker Mike Johnson urged AI leaders to meet on policy, while noting a moratorium could advantage China. Vice President JD Vance said the administration wants to "regulate smartly" but expressed caution about tech firms seeking regulation.

A recent poll found about 70% of U.S. adults are more worried than excited about AI, and roughly the same share oppose local AI data centers, including a majority of Republican respondents. Beijing dismissed U.S. tech leaders' warnings as "fearmongering" and part of a Cold War narrative.

During a trip to Ireland, Trump reiterated that the United States is ahead of China in AI development and that "whoever wins AI wins," adding that negative forces are exaggerating potential problems.