Top executives from leading tech companies in the U.S. met with President Donald Trump on September 29, 2026, to discuss the future of artificial intelligence (AI) amid growing concerns over AI models losing control. The meeting followed the president's unveiling of a new AI-powered website designed to assist Americans in navigating government services. Trump is advocating for a new term for artificial intelligence, referring to it as 'superintelligence,' and emphasized the importance of maintaining the U.S. lead over China in this technology sector.
Trump stated, 'This is one more example of why I will never stifle the growth of technology that will be bigger than the Industrial Revolution. President Xi knows that. We're leading by a lot.' He expressed concerns about potential joint ventures with China, suggesting that such collaborations could compromise U.S. technological secrets.
The discussion on innovation comes as researchers and lawmakers call for stronger safeguards regarding AI technology. Gary Marcus, professor emeritus at New York University and author of 'Taming Silicon Valley,' shared his views on AI risks during a segment with Geoff Bennett.
Marcus argued that while extinction due to AI is unlikely, catastrophic events are possible. He cited previous incidents where AI errors nearly led to significant consequences, such as the WannaCry virus in the U.K. He stated, 'There are lots of vulnerabilities. There may be serious damage. I just don't think that extinction is actually one of the things that should keep us up at night.'
Regarding self-regulation, Marcus criticized the notion that the AI industry can effectively regulate itself, referencing a New York Times report that OpenAI was aware of potential issues before a significant incident occurred but did not act. He stated, 'Trusting these companies is insane... we need outside regulation, just like we have in aviation and food and drugs.'
When asked about regulating AI without giving China an advantage, Marcus suggested that the urgency of the race against China is overstated, noting that China has its own regulatory measures. He emphasized that the U.S. AI industry is currently producing problematic software and that regulation is necessary to ensure safety.
Marcus has advocated for a dedicated federal AI agency to oversee software evaluations, akin to drug approval processes. He highlighted the need for independent assessments of new software products and transparency in the regulatory process.
He expressed concern about whether the government could impose meaningful regulations before a major crisis occurs, stating, 'The Hugging Face hack... is really a wake-up call.' He warned that while most incidents may not be harmful, one could have severe consequences, indicating a pressing need for regulatory action.
The discussion reflects ongoing debates about the balance between innovation and safety in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.