Congress split on AI safeguards as CEOs sound alarm — SkimNews
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- Anthropic, OpenAI, and xAI leaders pledged to slow AI development after an Anthropic researcher resigned warning the technology could "kill us all by the end of the decade."
- Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) said on CNN that "Dr. Frankenstein is telling us the monster is escaping" and that Congress's response is "not meeting the moment."
- Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro posted on X calling the CEOs' comments a "bright flashing red light" urging the President and Congress to act now on AI regulation.
- Rep. Sam Liccardo (D-Calif.) led a group of Democrats in a letter to Speaker Johnson demanding the House remain in session until it passes "meaningful, bipartisan AI safeguards," including transparency mandates, "kill switch" requirements, and antitrust waivers for industry collaboration.
- House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) ruled out keeping the House past next week, warning that rushing to regulate AI would cause the U.S. to "lose the race to China" and calling instead for a closed-door meeting with industry leaders.
- President Trump, speaking in Ireland, said the U.S. is "leading China on AI" and pushed back against slowdown talk, arguing guardrails shouldn't smother American innovation.
- An industry source said legislation has "real momentum" to emerge in the coming week as lawmakers facing November ballots want an AI accomplishment rather than stagnation to point to.
Why it matters: The standoff leaves any AI safeguards bill navigating Democratic demands for transparency and kill-switch mandates, Republican concerns about ceding ground to China, and a Speaker who is sending the House home — yet an industry source said legislation with "real momentum" could surface within a week, giving midterm-bound lawmakers a narrow chance to claim action before the recess.
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