Big Tech leaders and Democrats are warning that artificial intelligence could wipe out humanity if left unchecked, with leaders from some of the largest AI firms calling for government regulation to slow down or halt AI development, while others like Bill Gates want an international body to oversee the technology. The push has prompted panicked calls for legislation in Congress and pushback from the White House, with President Trump writing that the only controls or “guardrails” AI needs is a “STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT.” The fear-mongering is raising suspicions about those behind it, namely Big AI firms and Democrats, who both stand to gain: the firms could further their hold on the industry if new development is stopped or slowed down, while Democrats can use the issue to rile up voters ahead of the midterm elections. Larry Ward, CEO of the tech firm Market Rithim and founding member of the National AI Association, calls it the latest “fear porn,” saying people’s real fears are exploited for political gain, as they were with COVID and climate change. Fox News columnist David Marcus accuses Big Tech of pushing AI doomsday to distract from issues like social media addiction among young people and left-wing bias in their algorithms. Ward says the question shouldn’t be how to stop AI, but how to build it the right way, to serve humanity.