Johnson Rejects AI Moratorium, Warns of Losing Edge to China

US House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Tuesday that halting artificial intelligence development would cost the United States its competitive advantage over China, arguing that AI companies are capable of regulating themselves.

Speaking to reporters, Johnson said firms developing the technology do not require government direction to slow down, and that any decision to do so should rest with them. A moratorium on AI development, he warned, would allow China to pull ahead — a prospect he described as carrying serious national security consequences for American households.

Johnson also rejected the creation of a transnational body to oversee AI, saying he did not support such an arrangement.

He said he expected AI to feature in discussions between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping when they meet in Washington later this month, adding that the two leaders would need to keep track of developments and make commitments to each other.

According to Johnson, he spoke with Trump on Monday night and the two are calling executives from major AI providers to the White House within the coming week for a meeting he described as important.

On the question of safeguards, Johnson said guardrails for AI should be approached in a balanced and considered manner. He pointed to independent auditors and transparency from developers as measures worth pursuing, saying there were important ideas that could serve as guardrails.