President Trump dismissed recent claims about artificial intelligence as a “hoax” during a statement on Monday, despite the CEOs of Anthropic and OpenAI warning that AI could pose a threat to humanity. However, White House advisors are actively trying to formulate a fair regulation policy for AI, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Over the weekend, both Sam Altman from OpenAI and Dario Amodei from Anthropic urged the US government to potentially pause AI development, citing alarming scenarios where AI could take control of governments and the military if left unregulated.
Yet, the president and his senior advisors appear reluctant to impose strict regulations in the near term. According to insiders, they believe that doing so could jeopardize national security and give China a competitive edge in both economic and military spheres.
“They might consider some limited safeguards, but that would be the extent of it,” noted a high-ranking Wall Street executive with insights into the administration’s stance.
Instead, the administration seems to favor a self-regulatory approach, such as developing a code of conduct to prevent AI misuse. There’s even talk of supporting legislation that aligns with proposals from Texas Governor Greg Abbott, which could include requiring AI firms to bear the costs of their electricity and water consumption.
“President Trump has made it clear that he wants to ensure America leads in AI, and the administration is focused on doing that while ensuring the safety of Americans,” a White House official stated.
Meanwhile, representatives from Anthropic and OpenAI did not respond immediately to inquiries for comments.
As AI continues to evolve, many Americans are already voicing their concerns. They fear it could replace jobs, and there’s worry about the impact of data centers on local resources, which could raise utility costs. Former President Obama has also encouraged Democrats to capitalize on these AI fears, especially as the 2026 midterm elections draw near.
White House officials are aware of these public concerns but suspect that the calls for regulation from OpenAI and Anthropic may be attempts to solidify their market position. They could be aiming for “regulatory capture,” which keeps them dominant while raising barriers for smaller AI companies.
David Sacks, a former White House AI advisor, echoed this sentiment over the weekend, suggesting that Anthropic is executing a strategy based on fear to secure its regulatory advantages, which he believes threatens the startup ecosystem.
The debate has intensified recently, especially after reports of several OpenAI autonomous agents going rogue and breaching a platform called Hugging Face. This incident has heightened fears that AI could disrupt both military and civilian infrastructure if not properly managed.
Jacob Coxon, a former employee at Anthropic, has spurred further discussions after leaving his position last week. He expressed on social media that those developing AI genuinely fear it could lead to catastrophic outcomes by the end of the decade.
Still, AI is a significant part of the Trump administration’s economic strategy and national security vision. The growth of data centers has pushed stock markets to new heights, including a rally in the tech-heavy Nasdaq, even amid minor corrections. This construction boom has also contributed to a surge in blue-collar job opportunities.
