Trump rejects AI regulation, citing parallels with climate change, in U.N. address

Former President Donald Trump, speaking at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, rejected proposals to regulate artificial intelligence and compared the debate to the climate‑change fight, urging that AI be rebranded as “super intelligence.” He said the United States should not stifle innovation and warned that regulation could hurt American competitiveness.

The comment comes as governments worldwide scramble to set rules for rapidly advancing AI tools. The European Union is moving ahead with its AI Act, and U.S. lawmakers have introduced bipartisan bills to address risks such as disinformation, bias and job displacement. Climate change has dominated recent UN meetings, with nations still struggling to meet emissions targets. By drawing a parallel, Trump suggested that AI, like the climate issue, will resolve itself without heavy-handed oversight.

Tech CEOs and AI researchers pushed back, saying that ignoring regulation could expose the public to unsafe systems. Climate activists noted the irony of likening a technology that can spread false information to a global environmental crisis that demands coordinated action. United Nations Secretary‑General António Guterres called AI “an existential challenge” that needs international cooperation, and his office said the UN will explore a framework for AI governance. Trump’s “super intelligence” phrase sparked a wave of social‑media memes and debate about the seriousness of his remarks.

What happens next will shape both policy and markets. Congress is expected to vote on the AI Innovation Act later this month, and the UN is planning a high‑level summit on AI governance for early next year. Without U.S. leadership on the issue, global standards could splinter, giving advantage to countries with looser rules. Trump’s stance is likely to influence the upcoming election narrative, framing AI regulation as a partisan battle rather than a safety issue.