Tech giants use AI extinction fears to tighten their grip on power

AI doomsday warnings from tech leaders are intensifying political battles over regulation, with critics arguing these extinction narratives are a marketing tactic that consolidates power among major AI companies rather than enhancing safety. High-profile resignations at Anthropic and Google DeepMind, alongside calls from CEOs like Dario Amodei to slow development, have fueled debate. Critics say focusing on speculative "rogue AI" distracts from real harms like environmental damage and autonomous weapons, while proposed regulations could burden smaller competitors. The narrative also frames AI as a zero-sum race with China, echoing Cold War rhetoric. Analysts suggest existential risk talk helps attract investment and positions tech giants as essential custodians of a powerful technology, potentially enabling self-regulation that avoids meaningful accountability.