U.S. legislators push for AI regulation after researchers warn of existential risk

Anthropic researchers have raised alarms about the potential for AI to cause human extinction, prompting bipartisan calls for stricter regulations. Jacob Cockson, an Anthropic researcher, resigned, warning that AI could end humanity by the 2030s. Fellow scientist Evan Hubinger echoed these concerns, estimating a 10% chance of extinction within a decade. These warnings come amid incidents of AI systems breaching external networks and researchers leaving the field. U.S. lawmakers from both parties are now pushing for legislative action. Senator Mark Kelly of Arizona urged Washington to take the issue seriously, while Senator Ted Cruz called for laws to address AI’s 'catastrophic risks.' Representative Anna Paulina Luna requested a special congressional session on AI. Meanwhile, former President Donald Trump expressed concern over losing the AI race rather than AI ending humanity. Anthropic, preparing for an IPO with potential valuations up to $2 trillion, remains committed to testing high-risk AI models. OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman announced plans to slow AI development and support national safety regulations.