At a recent invitation-only gathering of top U.S. executives in Washington, a strong majority of business leaders rejected former President Donald Trump’s assertion that the risks posed by artificial intelligence (AI) are overblown. The event, hosted by the Yale School of Management, featured a flash poll in which 99 percent of attendees disagreed with Trump’s characterization of AI dangers as a “hoax.”
Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, the Yale management professor who organised the meeting, described the overwhelming sentiment as “stunning.” Conversations during and after the forum revealed that executives are increasingly concerned about potential harms from AI and eager for more dialogue on measures to mitigate these risks.
The forum served as an opportunity for CEOs from diverse industries and regions outside Silicon Valley to exchange views ahead of a planned White House dinner with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where AI competition is expected to be a central topic. Trump has previously opposed tighter federal AI regulations, arguing that such measures could stifle innovation and put the U.S. at a disadvantage relative to China. Meanwhile, major figures from the AI sector, including leaders from Anthropic and OpenAI, recently called for a slowing of advanced AI development to prioritize safety.
Attendees included executives from toolmaker Snap-on, Motorola Solutions, and glass manufacturer Corning, along with political figures such as former Vice President Mike Pence and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. The group represented a bipartisan mix but many preferred not to speak publicly to avoid friction with the Trump administration. Instead, poll questions allowed participants to express their views on AI risks and policy discreetly.
Notably, 88 percent of executives surveyed believed Trump should raise the importance of international cooperation with China on AI safety standards during his upcoming meeting, though roughly three-quarters doubted he would do so.
Overall, the gathering highlighted growing concern among U.S. business leaders about AI’s potential dangers and a desire for collaborative approaches to regulation and safety, contrasting sharply with Trump’s more dismissive stance on the issue.