U.S. Lawmakers Split on AI Curbs as 43% Accept Falling Behind China
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Sep 17
U.S. Lawmakers Split on AI Curbs as 43% Accept Falling Behind China
3 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Sep 17
Summary
Capitol Hill’s AI debate is hardening along party lines, with Republicans warning that slowing development could hand China an edge and Democrats arguing competition does not justify skipping guardrails.
A new poll shows the public is divided the same way: 43% say the U.S. can afford to fall behind if AI is developed more safely, while 37% say it should keep pushing even if that means taking risks.
Trump’s 2024 voters lean more sharply toward the competition-first view, backing it 50% to 38%, adding pressure on Republicans as Congress inches toward any bipartisan AI legislation.
Greg Casar and Bernie Sanders have pushed one of the toughest responses — a ban on “superintelligence” — while senior Republicans including House Energy and Commerce Chair Brett Guthrie reject any pause as surrender to China.