Title: Microsoft Scientist Warns Trump’s AI Regulation Ban Will Hinder Technological Progress
Date: June 22, 2025
By: Robert Booth, UK Technology Editor
In a significant critique of former President Donald Trump’s proposed ban on state-level regulations for artificial intelligence (AI), Microsoft’s Chief Scientist Dr. Eric Horvitz has suggested that such actions threaten to impede the advancement of AI technologies rather than promote it. His comments come amid a backdrop of intense discussion surrounding the future of AI regulation in the United States.
The Trump administration has put forth a proposal that would impose a ten-year prohibition on individual states from enacting any legislation to limit, restrict, or regulate AI models or systems. This move aims to ensure that the U.S. maintains its competitive edge against countries like China, which are perceived as advancing rapidly in the AI race. As part of this initiative, tech investors and stakeholders are aligning to support the limitations on state-level controls, arguing that regulation should focus more on consumer applications rather than on scientific research.
Dr. Horvitz, a notable former technology adviser to President Joe Biden, voiced his concerns during a recent meeting of the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence. He emphasized that bans on regulation may “hold us back” and be contradictory to the goals of both advancing scientific understanding and translating that science into practical applications. “Guidance and regulation are integral to the process of enhancing the field and ensuring safety and reliability,” he remarked.
The proposed ban has drawn mixed reactions within the tech industry. While Microsoft’s involvement in lobbying efforts alongside giants such as Google, Meta, and Amazon suggests a move towards supporting the ban on state-level regulations, Horvitz’s criticisms indicate a deeper concern about the potential risks associated with unregulated AI development. There are fears that neglecting regulatory frameworks could lead to the misuse of AI technologies, including their application in misinformation and harmful activities.
Notably, Horvitz warned of the dangers posed by AI, including the potential for catastrophic outcomes. He highlighted discussions within the scientific community regarding the inherent risks of widely deploying technologies that even their creators estimate could carry a substantial chance of contributing to human extinction.
In supporting the proposed ban, figures like Marc Andreessen, co-founder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and a known Trump supporter, have framed the dialogue as a crucial comparison between the U.S. and China. They argue that technological pauses could lead to vulnerabilities for the U.S. in the field of AI.
However, the scientific consensus appears to diverge significantly from this perspective. During the same seminar, Professor Stuart Russell of the University of California, Berkeley, posed a provocative question regarding the prudence of releasing technologies with potentially severe risks, urging caution in the face of pressing technological advancements.
Microsoft has invested approximately $14 billion in OpenAI, the parent company of the AI model ChatGPT, which further complicates the narrative. OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, recently forecasted a future where humanoid robots could play an integral role in everyday activity, a vision that underlines the urgency of addressing AI safety and regulatory concerns.
As the debate unfolds, the proposed regulatory framework, encapsulated within Trump’s so-called “big beautiful bill,” is set to undergo scrutiny as it makes its way through Congress. The deadline for passing this legislation is targeted for July 4, Independence Day, further intensifying the discussions surrounding the future of AI governance in the United States.
Despite the lobbying efforts from major tech firms, Microsoft has not issued a public statement regarding Horvitz’s remarks or their stance on the potential risks posed by unregulated AI. As debates on the balance between innovation and safety continue, the implications of these regulatory discussions will be closely watched by both the technology sector and policymakers alike.
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For further insights into the impact of AI regulation on technological progress, visit our sections on Artificial Intelligence, Technology Sector, and U.S. Politics.
