# Trump and Mike Johnson Argue AI Industry Overreacts to Development Pause Republicans warn slowing AI could give China a competitive edge. - **Source:** [The Verge (theverge.com)](https://www.theverge.com) - **Published:** 2026-09-13 - **Topic:** [Data & AI](https://brifing.si/c/data-ai) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/b7af5645-ab1e-4e6f-a88c-9d0aaeb664f7 ## AI Industry Calls for Pause Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently published an open letter advocating for slowing down AI development. OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Elon Musk publicly supported this call on X. Alphabet’s Demis Hassabis also tentatively backed the proposal. The industry leaders argue that pacing AI development is crucial to ensure safety and ethical considerations. ## Trump’s Stance on AI Leadership Donald Trump expressed concerns that slowing AI development could allow China to surpass the US. He emphasized the importance of maintaining America’s lead in AI, stating, 'Whoever wins AI, wins.' Trump’s comments reflect a broader Republican fear of losing technological dominance to China. ## Mike Johnson’s National Security Warning House Speaker Mike Johnson echoed Trump’s sentiments, warning that rushing to regulate AI could pose a national security threat. He urged against panic-driven legislation, arguing that hasty restrictions could hinder the US’s ability to compete with China in the AI race. ## China’s Growing AI Influence China has been rapidly advancing in AI technology, raising concerns among US leaders. The fear is that any pause in US AI development could allow China to gain a significant edge, potentially shifting the balance of global technological power. ## Industry Leaders vs. Politicians While AI industry leaders like Amodei, Altman, and Musk advocate for cautious development, politicians like Trump and Johnson prioritize maintaining competitive advantage. This divergence highlights the tension between ethical considerations and geopolitical strategy. ## Public Reactions to AI Pause The debate over AI development has sparked widespread public discussion. Some support the pause for safety reasons, while others agree with Trump and Johnson, fearing that slowing down could harm national interests and global competitiveness. ## Historical Context of Tech Rivalry The US-China tech rivalry is not new, with both nations vying for dominance in areas like 5G and semiconductors. AI represents the latest frontier in this competition, making the stakes even higher for both countries. ## Implications of AI Leadership Winning the AI race has far-reaching implications, from economic growth to national security. The US and China’s approaches to AI development will shape the future of global technology and influence geopolitical dynamics for decades to come. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.theverge.com/ai-artificial-intelligence/994441/trump-mike-johnson-ai-industry-overreacting — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._