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President Trump dismissed warnings about the risks of artificial intelligence, calling AI safety fears a 'hoax' and saying 'negative forces' were raising concerns about 'things that won't happen,' framing AI development as a competitive necessity in the rivalry with China. His comments came after Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark told the BBC that an AI 'kill switch' may need to be mandatory, reflecting growing concern among some technologists about unchecked AI development. With Trump opposed to new safeguards and Congress divided, safety legislation on AI appears unlikely to pass in the near term despite mounting pressure from experts and advocates. A BBC survey of people in Washington, D.C. found mixed views on the technology's rapid development, with some calling it 'great' and others 'alarming,' underscoring the broader public debate over whether AI poses a genuine threat to humanity.