House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Republican, said on Tuesday that the United States cannot afford to halt the development of artificial intelligence (AI) because doing so would hand technological leadership to China. Johnson framed the global AI competition as a national security issue.
He argued against government-imposed slowdowns of innovation, stating that AI developers are capable of self-regulation and that creating a new international regulatory body is unnecessary. Johnson warned that slowing domestic AI progress would have serious consequences for American families.
White House meeting with major AI firms planned
Johnson reported that he spoke with President Donald Trump on Monday evening and, as a result of that discussion, the largest AI service providers — “all the big names,” in his words — will be invited to the White House within a week for a priority meeting.
He also said that establishing limits and frameworks for AI development requires a balanced and thoughtful approach. Johnson called for independent auditors and greater transparency from AI companies, noting that there are substantive initiatives that could provide real safety guarantees.
AI to be a central topic at the Washington summit
Johnson reiterated his belief that AI will be a major topic at the Washington summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping later this month. He said the two sides should monitor developments closely and make mutual commitments.
The article notes related coverage and debates published on September 14–15, 2026, which examine AI risks and market shifts in greater detail.
Sources and editing
This piece was compiled from Reuters reporting and edited and verified by our journalist; an AI assistant helped prepare the article. Tags: Washington, Donald Trump, artificial intelligence, Xi Jinping, summit, White House, national security, global competition, Mike Johnson.
