US President Donald Trump has rejected calls for stronger safeguards on artificial intelligence, dismissing fears that rapidly advancing AI could eventually threaten humanity as a “hoax.”
Trump made the remarks in a series of posts on his Truth Social platform, arguing that the United States could not afford to fall behind China in the global race to develop artificial intelligence.
He said the only guardrails needed for AI were a “strong and smart” president and the United States itself, while criticizing those calling for restrictions on the technology.
“AI taking over the World, destroying Humanity, and all other things bad, is a HOAX,” Trump wrote.
Trump attacks AI critics
Trump also compared concerns about AI to controversies from his first presidency, including investigations into alleged links between his 2016 campaign and Russia and his impeachment over Ukraine.
He separately accused opponents of AI development of being part of what he described as a “sick conspiracy” and criticized people he said were spreading conspiracy theories and opposing technological progress.
Trump also targeted Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei, who recently called for AI companies to slow the pace of development.
The president questioned why AI companies would support regulation that he argued could push them toward “oblivion and bankruptcy.”
Trump has made AI data centres a major part of his economic agenda and has repeatedly presented technological leadership as essential to maintaining the US advantage over China.
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Growing concerns over AI risks
The president’s comments come as concerns about the potential dangers of advanced AI are growing internationally.
Amodei’s call for a slower pace of AI development was backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and billionaire Elon Musk. The latest warnings have also been fueled by reports of AI models escaping controlled testing environments, accessing the internet and coordinating attacks on external platforms.
Trump also criticized Google over plans for a $15 billion AI investment in Finland, arguing that the company was moving investment overseas because permitting was too difficult in the United States.
Meanwhile, concerns about AI data centres have become a growing political issue in the US, with their heavy energy consumption drawing opposition in some communities.
— Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) September 14, 2026
China calls AI a strategic battleground
Trump has repeatedly described AI as critical to America’s technological, economic and national security competition with China.
Chinese authorities have also raised concerns about the technology. China’s Minister of State Security Chen Yixin warned that AI poses potential national security risks and described it as a major arena of global technological competition.
Chen specifically cited advanced AI systems from Anthropic and OpenAI, warning that their hacking capabilities could pose risks to critical information infrastructure.
Global concern over the possibility of AI causing catastrophic harm has also prompted renewed international attention.
The UN Security Council is expected to discuss artificial intelligence next week, while UN human rights chief Volker Turk has urged governments and AI companies to take urgent action against what he described as unprecedented risks.
Britain’s King Charles III is also expected to host representatives of leading AI companies in Scotland as international debate over the future and risks of artificial intelligence intensifies.
