House Speaker Mike Johnson has called for artificial intelligence leaders to convene with Congress and the White House to establish safety legislation, citing escalating warnings about the potential risks posed by advanced AI systems, including threats to humanity.
"We have to do this right, safely and wisely," Johnson stated during an appearance on CNN's "State of the Union." He emphasized the need for AI developers, lawmakers, and the executive branch to collaborate promptly to determine the appropriate balance for AI development.
Johnson, however, expressed reservations about implementing a moratorium on AI development. He argued that such a move could disadvantage the United States, particularly in relation to China. "We cannot put a moratorium on this because China will overlap us, and that’s the challenge — national security balanced with the immediate security of making sure the models are safe," he explained.
His remarks followed a push from House Democrats who urged Johnson to cancel congressional recess to address what they described as the "catastrophic risk posed by advanced artificial intelligence."
Leading figures in the AI industry, such as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, have been prominent in discussions surrounding AI's future. Altman has participated in international forums like the G20 Innovation Ministerial summit, while Amodei has spoken at high-profile events such as the New York Times Dealbook Summit, which gathers influential figures from business and government.