US Lawmakers Push for New AI Rules Amid Extinction Warnings

Growing concerns over the potential dangers of artificial intelligence are prompting more U.S. lawmakers to call for tighter regulations. The alarm intensified after Anthropic researchers Jacob Coxon and Evan Hubinger warned that rapidly advancing AI could pose an existential threat to humanity. Hubinger said he personally estimates there is more than a 10% chance AI could kill all humans within the next decade.

The warnings have drawn bipartisan attention in Washington, with lawmakers including Democratic Senator Mark Kelly and Republican Senator Ted Cruz calling for stronger action. Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senator Amy Klobuchar are working on legislation aimed at addressing what Thune has described as the “catastrophic risks” posed by AI. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said he was not concerned about AI causing human extinction, arguing that the U.S. must maintain its lead over China in the technology.

Pressure for oversight is also growing beyond Washington. OpenAI has backed mandatory national AI safety requirements, while California has enacted a law establishing rules for independent audits of AI products. A bipartisan House proposal would require developers of the most powerful AI models to undergo independent security audits, reflecting growing demands for pre-deployment testing and stronger safeguards as AI capabilities rapidly advance.

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