Vance criticizes established AI firms that stand to benefit from new rules raising market barriers

Stresses that any regulatory framework must have congressional and administration backing

Says US must always stay ahead in long-term AI competition with China

US Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks during a visit to Kansas on Monday. [Reuters]
US Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks during a visit to Kansas on Monday. [Reuters]

US Vice President JD Vance said Monday that calls from AI companies for stricter regulation feel "a little bit like a Trojan horse" to him. Speaking to reporters during a visit to Kansas, Vance said he finds it "a little bit strange" that so many cutting-edge AI firms are going to the government and "begging to be regulated."

The remark appeared to be a criticism of how new regulations could raise barriers to market entry, ultimately benefiting established large AI companies at the expense of newer competitors.

Vance also addressed calls by AI industry leaders — including Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei — for slowing the pace of AI development, saying it was "something we're concerned about as well."

However, he stressed that "what we actually need is to regulate wisely and approach risks carefully," adding that while AI carries real dangers, it also offers real benefits.

Vance then said President Donald Trump has "pretty consistently emphasized" that China is engaged in a long-term AI competition against the United States. "We need to respond wisely, but we always need to stay ahead," he said.

The comment reflected concern that slowing AI development too sharply in the name of safety could leave the US trailing China in the race for technological dominance.

"I don't think Americans need to be afraid of anything," Vance said, while cautioning that "every technology has risks and downsides, and that's certainly true of AI."

On the question of who should regulate AI, Vance said the best approach is for Congress and the administration to reach a consensus. "There are clearly a lot of people with strong opinions on both sides of the aisle, but ideally any regulatory regime is one that Congress and the White House agree on," he said. "That's how you actually get regulation to stick and achieve real consensus."


mokiya@heraldcorp.com