Trump Technology Adviser Rejects AI Panic, Puts Safety Burden on Developers

David Sacks, a leading technology adviser to President Donald Trump, is pushing back against growing alarm over artificial intelligence, arguing that developers must take responsibility for the systems they create without bringing American innovation to a halt.

Speaking with CBS News, Sacks characterized the escalating warnings about AI as a developing “panic.” While acknowledging that caution is necessary, he maintained that the United States should continue advancing the technology in a safe and rational manner.

His remarks come as prominent researchers and industry executives warn that increasingly powerful AI systems could pose catastrophic risks. Former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon recently accused Anthropic and OpenAI of “gambling with our lives” through their pursuit of self-improving superintelligence.

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has also acknowledged serious dangers, claiming the AI industry previously misled the public about the technology’s risks.

Sacks, however, said the primary responsibility belongs to companies building large language models.

“First and foremost, it is on them to make their products safe,” he told CBS News. “If they can’t do that, they should step aside for people who can do that.”

He also rejected the idea that AI companies should depend on government intervention to protect the public. Addressing warnings from industry leaders, Sacks offered a straightforward standard: “If you can’t control it, then don’t do it.”

The debate centers partly on “superintelligence,” a theoretical point at which AI could surpass human abilities across virtually every cognitive task. Some experts believe such systems could emerge within the next decade, prompting calls from executives, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, for greater caution.

President Trump has dismissed demands for heavier AI regulation, contending that the industry already faces sufficient oversight. Sacks echoed that position while emphasizing the geopolitical consequences of slowing development.

According to Sacks, an American pause would not stop China from moving forward. Instead, it could allow Beijing to overtake the United States in one of the century’s most consequential technological races.

The challenge now facing America is clear: pursue innovation without surrendering accountability. Developers seeking the power and profit of advanced AI must also accept the moral responsibility of protecting the public from its potential harms.

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