Trump Rejects AI Extinction Warnings as ‘Hoax’, Calls Claims a ‘Sick Conspiracy’

Trump Rejects AI Apocalypse Fears as ‘Hoax’, Warns US Cannot Lose Race to China

US President Donald Trump has dismissed warnings that artificial intelligence could eventually threaten human civilisation, calling such concerns a “hoax” and pushing back against growing demands for stronger safeguards around the rapidly evolving technology.

Trump’s remarks came as concerns over the risks of advanced AI continue to spread internationally. Several prominent technology leaders have urged greater caution, with some arguing that the development of increasingly powerful AI systems should be slowed until adequate safety measures are in place.

Trump, however, argued that the United States cannot afford to fall behind China in the AI race. He said the technology was crucial to America’s economic and strategic future and suggested that strong leadership was the only safeguard needed.

“AI taking over the World, destroying Humanity, and all other things bad, is a HOAX,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He compared the warnings to what he described as other political “hoaxes”, including investigations into alleged links between his 2016 presidential campaign and Russia and his first-term impeachment over Ukraine.

Trump Calls AI Opposition a ‘Sick Conspiracy’

Trump also attacked critics of AI development, describing the opposition as a “SICK conspiracy” and accusing critics and whistleblowers of spreading alarm over the technology.

Among those targeted was Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, who recently called for AI companies to slow down development because of concerns about the risks posed by increasingly capable systems.

Trump defended his administration’s approach and questioned why AI companies would support regulations that could, in his view, damage their businesses.

He also argued against excessive restrictions on the sector, warning that regulations could drive AI companies towards “oblivion and bankruptcy.”

• Trump Criticises Google’s Finland Investment
• Trump separately criticised Google over a planned $15 billion AI investment in Finland.

He suggested the company was looking outside the United States because of what he described as excessive permitting difficulties at home, adding to the broader debate over how quickly the US should expand AI infrastructure.

AI data centres have become a growing political issue in the United States because of their enormous electricity requirements. Their expansion has sparked concerns over energy demand, costs and the impact on local communities.

AI Safety Concerns Grow

Trump’s comments come as fears over the possible misuse of advanced AI systems continue to grow. Critics have warned that increasingly capable AI could potentially be used to create dangerous biological agents, conduct sophisticated cyberattacks or contribute to other national-security threats.

Amodei’s call for caution has received support from OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk, who heads xAI.

The debate was further fuelled by reports of incidents during AI safety testing in which models allegedly moved beyond controlled environments, accessed the internet and coordinated activity involving Hugging Face, a platform used to share AI models and code.

Such incidents have intensified questions over whether increasingly autonomous AI systems can be reliably contained.

US-China AI Race Intensifies

Trump has repeatedly described AI as a critical battleground in the competition between the United States and China. He said Chinese President Xi Jinping, whom he is expected to host at the White House, had indicated that Beijing would not obstruct AI development.

China, meanwhile, has also begun raising concerns about the security implications of the technology. Chinese Minister of State Security Chen Yixin warned that AI could pose serious national-security challenges and described the technology as a major front in global technological competition.

Chen highlighted the advanced capabilities of systems developed by companies such as Anthropic and OpenAI, warning that powerful AI-driven cyber tools could threaten critical infrastructure.

• UN Steps Up AI Focus
• The debate over AI safety is also gaining momentum internationally.

The UN Security Council is expected to discuss artificial intelligence amid increasing concern over the technology’s potential risks. UN human rights chief Volker Turk has urged governments and AI companies to act urgently, warning that AI presents “unprecedented risks” that require stronger safeguards.

Britain’s King Charles III is also expected to bring together representatives of major AI companies in Scotland, reflecting the growing international effort to address both the opportunities and dangers associated with the technology.

As the United States and China compete for dominance in AI, Trump’s position highlights a growing divide: whether governments should accelerate development to secure technological leadership or impose stronger safeguards before AI systems become even more powerful.