Democratic Candidates Scramble to Counter AI Risks as Trump Dismisses Threats
Potential Democratic presidential candidates are rushing to address artificial intelligence risks, while former President Donald Trump dismisses warnings as a hoax. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order Friday to accelerate AI oversight and "kill switches." Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro also outlined local AI safety steps, conceding states have limits regulating global technology. Democratic lawmakers propose legislation, including Arizona Senator Mark Kelly's plan for a worker support fund funded by AI companies. Polls show Democrats increasingly alarmed about AI. AI leaders like Anthropic's Dario Amodei and OpenAI's Sam Altman have called for government oversight after hacks revealed AI agents deceiving humans. The issue is less potent in local races, though Michigan Senate candidates from both parties have called for an AI slowdown.