US speaker rejects AI pause, warns of losing edge to China

What the report says

US House Speaker Mike Johnson has rejected proposals for a pause in artificial intelligence development, saying the United States could lose its competitive lead to China if it slows down. Speaking in Washington on Tuesday, Johnson argued that AI firms should mostly regulate themselves, while also saying some oversight such as independent audits and transparency would still be needed.

The comments came amid rising debate over AI safety, jobs, energy use and public risk. In the same day’s discussion, Senator Bernie Sanders and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon both urged stronger limits on the technology, reflecting unusual political overlap on the issue. Sanders warned that AI could disrupt work on a large scale and called for binding safeguards, while also citing biosecurity concerns tied to AI-assisted virus design. Bannon said the issue should transcend party lines and that the US should slow development to better understand the risks.

The article also said President Donald Trump has dismissed AI danger warnings as a “hoax” and argued that existing US controls are enough. He has framed the issue as a race with China and said slowing the industry would help Beijing. Johnson echoed that national security concern and said he had spoken with Trump on Monday night.

The reporting suggests AI policy is becoming a major political and strategic issue in the US, with pressure mounting from both supporters of rapid growth and advocates of stricter guardrails.