Donald Trump dismisses AI safety fears as ‘hoax’ amid growing backlash

US President Donald Trump has dismissed growing anxieties over AI as a “hoax” and a “conspiracy”, insisting the technology doesn’t require any guardrails beyond a “strong and smart” president.

The 80-year-old president’s remarks come as lawmakers in Washington face mounting pressure to regulate the rapidly advancing sector.

Concerns have reached fever pitch following warnings from prominent tech leaders, most notably Anthropic’s CEO Dario Amodei, that advanced AI could pose severe existential threats and cybersecurity risks within the decade.

While tech executives and politicians across the political divide acknowledge the risks, opinions remain sharply divided on government intervention, with some warning that heavy-handed restrictions could allow global competitors such as China to take the lead.

Despite the administration’s dismissive stance, members of both major parties in Congress are pushing for action. Lawmakers are holding a series of emergency briefings with safety advocates and researchers this week, with proposals ranging from mandatory “kill switches” to federal monitoring agencies.

Former President Barack Obama has also weighed in, warning that voluntary standards set by tech companies will not suffice to protect society.

As the debate intensifies, critics have rebuked the current administration’s stance, arguing that relying on self-regulation by profit-driven corporations leaves the public dangerously exposed.