Capitol Hill debates AI safety guardrails amid China competition concerns

Lawmakers in Washington are debating whether Congress should add new safeguards to artificial intelligence development as industry leaders warn about safety risks and the pace of progress. The discussion has intensified after President Donald Trump dismissed AI danger warnings as a hoax, drawing criticism from some Democrats and support from Republicans who say U.S. innovation should not be slowed. Senators and representatives from both parties said they support some level of guardrails, but they disagree on how strict they should be and whether stronger rules could help China gain an advantage. Some lawmakers pointed to warnings from AI executives and researchers as evidence that Congress should act, while others argued that excessive regulation could weaken American competitiveness. The issue is expected to remain in focus next week when Trump hosts Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, where AI safety and competition are likely to be part of the broader discussion.