Full Breakdown
Kamala Harris Calls for AI Slowdown and International Treaty
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Former Vice President Kamala Harris posted a statement on X urging the United States to slow the development of frontier AI models, create a new federal agency to independently test such systems, and pursue an international treaty—including with China—to curb dangerous uses, limit development speed, and adopt global testing standards. She also called on Congress to act urgently on AI oversight.
Background & Context
The call arrives amid a growing political debate over AI safety. Industry leaders such as Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and Elon Musk have recently advocated for a slowdown, and a letter from AI researchers urged government intervention. The Biden administration’s 2023 executive order on AI oversight was rescinded earlier this year, leaving a regulatory gap that Harris’s proposal seeks to fill. Former President Barack Obama also highlighted AI’s rapid advancement and the need for proactive legislation.
Official Statements & Responses
- Kamala Harris framed AI as “advancing at an alarming speed” and argued that a slowdown is essential to ensure the technology serves the public interest while preserving its life-saving potential in fields such as medicine. She emphasized that continued U.S. leadership can coexist with “common-sense safety standards.”
- Donald Trump rejected calls for safeguards, asserting that AI only needs a “strong and smart” president and labeling regulatory efforts a “SICK conspiracy” that benefits China.
- Pete Buttigieg warned that inaction by Congress and the White House is “deeply dangerous” and called for safeguards, rules, limits, and a “kill switch” for rogue AI.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the concrete mechanisms for an international treaty; Harris and Obama have not identified a specific process for bringing China to the negotiating table. Additionally, while a Senate draft proposes a power to block unsafe models, it remains unclear which federal entity would conduct independent testing. No timeline has been provided for legislative action or treaty negotiations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The only control or ‘guardrails’ that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT, and the U.S.A. has that, in spades!” — Donald Trump
- “I think the first part of this issue that should be articulated is AI is kind of a fancy thing,” — Kamala Harris
- “This is something that is moving very fast in private hands, and if we don’t get on top of it, I think can be dangerous,” — Barack Obama
What’s Next
Senators John Thune and Amy Klobuchar are negotiating a bill that would grant authorities the ability to block unsafe AI models and impose a duty of care on developers. The proposal’s progress, as well as any formal treaty discussions with China, will depend on forthcoming congressional hearings and executive decisions.