# Obama Calls for AI Slowdown as CEOs Push for Restraint

> Obama urges voluntary AI slowdown, but Trump administration dismisses calls for regulation
- Title: Obama Calls for AI Slowdown as CEOs Push for Restraint · PCMAG
- Summary: Obama urges voluntary AI slowdown, but Trump administration dismisses calls for regulation Obama advocates government-led AI regulation over corporate…
- Keywords: obama, ai slowdown, ceo, trump administration, ai regulation, openai, anthropic, elon musk, nvidia, meta, ai development, technology
- Source: PCMAG — https://pcmag.com/news/obama-agrees-with-the-ceos-now-is-the-time-for-the-ai-slowdown
- Author: Will McCurdy
- Published: 2026-09-20T12:31:40+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: obama, ai slowdown, ceo, trump administration, ai regulation, openai, anthropic, elon musk, nvidia, meta, ai development, technology
## AI CEOs Agree on Slowdown
Sam Altman, Dario Amodei, and Elon Musk call for voluntary AI development slowdown.

> voluntary restraint
## Obama Supports AI Regulation
Obama says AI firms need government oversight, not self-regulation.

> Government has to be regulating this
## Trump Dismisses Slowdown
Trump calls AI regulation efforts a 'hoax' and claims they are 'for losers'.

> a hoax
## Corporate Self-Regulation Fails
Obama argues market self-regulation doesn't work for health and safety issues.

> We now have 150 years of experience just letting the market do whatever it wants
## AI CEOs Oppose Slowing
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says AI labs should self-regulate safely.

> every AI lab has the responsibility and incentive to move at the pace required
## Obama's Plan for Action
Obama wants Congress and White House to prioritize AI regulation now.

> probably the best we can do for now until we can get Congress and the White House to start getting serious
## Key takeaway

Obama advocates government-led AI regulation over corporate self-policing, while Trump calls slowdown efforts 'hoax'