2026-09-18
51 分钟The Economist.
I'm Charlotte Howard, and this is Checks and Balance from The Economist.
Each week, we take one big theme shaping American politics and explore it in depth.
Today, will America's politicians do something to regulate AI?
Those close to the technology are warning
that the current pace of development could mean the accidental extinction of humanity.
Political momentum, not surprisingly, for tighter controls is gathering.
But Donald Trump is unmoved, calling the risks of AI a, quote, hoax and prioritizing the need to keep ahead of China.
Given the risks outlined, how worried are Americans about AI?
And will the country's politicians respond?
Joining me are James Bennett here in New York for the Sunny Conversation and Shashank Joshi in Washington.
Shashank, how are you?
Good morning.
I'm really well.
I spent the week immersing myself in AI matters.
I was at the Pro Humanity Conference in Washington,
D.C. Earlier this week where you could pick up caps that were emblazoned with the words pro-human.
And as I think you pointed out to me, it's slightly troubling
when we need to have pro-human as a slogan on our items of clothing.
Yeah.