Former President Donald Trump expressed strong support for the continued development of artificial intelligence (AI), dismissing calls from some industry leaders to impose temporary restrictions on the technology. His remarks came during a White House event on Thursday, where prominent AI executives gathered to discuss the future of the sector and the United States’ role in the growing global competition.
At the event, held to unveil America.gov, a new AI chatbot designed to streamline government services, Trump emphasized the importance of maintaining U.S. leadership in AI innovation. “I will never stifle the growth of a technology that will be bigger than the industrial revolution,” he said, underscoring his belief in AI’s transformative potential. The president highlighted concerns about competition from China as a key reason for fostering an open environment for AI development within the United States.
The gathering included several high-profile figures from the AI and tech industries, such as Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic; Greg Brockman, president of OpenAI; Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon; and Elon Musk, CEO of X, whose social media platform recently launched the AI model Grok. These executives have recently voiced varying opinions about the risks associated with AI, with some advocating for caution and regulatory measures due to concerns that advanced AI systems could pose existential threats.
Despite these calls from leaders within the industry for a pause or stricter oversight, Trump’s stance was clear: prioritizing innovation and competition over restrictions. The event and the launch of the AI-powered government chatbot symbolize an ongoing effort by U.S. officials and private companies to integrate AI technology into public services while maintaining a competitive edge in the global tech landscape.