White House AI Chief: Speed and Safety Are Not in Conflict; Slowing Down Is a False Choice

Jay Clayton, the White House's AI director, told a Napa Valley tech executive gathering on Oct. 9 that U.S. leadership in AI is absolutely critical to security, and that the current debate presents a false dichotomy between speed and safety. He said slowing down is not the right answer; instead, safety and safeguards should be built into the development of technology as it progresses.

Clayton said he would spend 120 days pushing to ensure AI is developed in the interest of the American people, with the government and industry jointly showcasing the technology to the public. He did not provide specifics on how that plan would be implemented.

Nikesh Arora, CEO of Palo Alto Networks, spoke at the same event and said the challenge is not slowing down technology, but equipping it with the right safety and safeguard measures.