Trump rejects AI warnings as ‘hoax’ amid China race

US President Donald Trump has dismissed growing concerns about the risks of artificial intelligence, describing some warnings about the rapidly advancing technology as a “hoax” while arguing that the United States must avoid slowing down AI development.

Trump made the remarks during a phone conversation with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang while a technology conference was taking place in Los Angeles.

The US president used the call to push back against growing calls for tighter controls on AI, warning that excessive regulation could weaken America’s position in the increasingly competitive global race for artificial intelligence.

Trump argued that slowing AI development could ultimately allow China to gain an advantage over the United States in one of the world’s most strategically important emerging technologies.

His comments come as governments, technology companies and researchers continue to debate how quickly AI should advance and what safeguards should be introduced to address potential risks.

Trump said opposition to the rapid development of AI could benefit what he described as “negative forces” that do not want the technology to progress.

He suggested that political groups could be among those resisting faster AI development, while also raising the possibility that China could benefit from efforts to slow American innovation.

The president’s comments highlight the growing connection between AI development and the broader technological competition between Washington and Beijing. Artificial intelligence has become an increasingly important area of competition, with both countries seeking leadership in advanced computing, semiconductors and next-generation digital technologies.

Nvidia, led by Huang, has emerged as one of the most influential companies in the AI boom because of its powerful chips and computing systems used to develop and operate advanced AI models.

Huang also pushed back against some of the more alarming predictions surrounding AI, describing certain claims about potentially catastrophic consequences as lacking a scientific basis.

However, he acknowledged that concerns surrounding AI safety should not simply be dismissed.

According to Huang, potential risks deserve serious attention, but safety concerns should not automatically become a justification for halting technological progress.

The comments from Trump and Huang reflect a broader debate within the technology industry and government over how to balance innovation with responsible development.

Supporters of faster AI progress argue that maintaining technological momentum is essential for economic growth, national security and global competitiveness. Critics, meanwhile, have called for stronger safeguards to address issues including misuse, misinformation, cybersecurity threats and the potential impact of increasingly capable AI systems.

Trump’s latest remarks suggest that his administration is placing a strong emphasis on maintaining US leadership in the sector rather than imposing restrictions that could slow development.

With China rapidly expanding its own AI capabilities, the debate is likely to intensify over how the United States can pursue technological leadership while ensuring that increasingly powerful AI systems are developed safely and responsibly.