Congress faces AI crisis amid anthropic's doomsday warnings

Anthropic insiders' warnings this year that AI could end humanity within the next decade have prompted members of Congress to seek answers and attempt to form a response. Federal lawmakers are currently at the 'concepts of a plan' stage, with congressional leaders showing little urgency to act. Former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon sparked the frenzy on Tuesday by stating on X that 'the people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade.' Dozens of members of Congress, mostly Democrats but including a few Republicans, have called for urgent action and proposed various legislative responses. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) proposed a bipartisan AI Select Committee, a suggestion also privately made to House Democratic leadership. However, House Republican leaders, who control both chambers, have not indicated they are treating this as a pressing matter. Many Democrats are speaking about the issue as something they will tackle in 2027 if they gain majority control in one or both chambers.