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Tue, 15 Sep 2026

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 AI 'kill switch' may need to be mandatory, Anthropic co-founder tells BBC

US President Donald Trump dismisses calls to slow the development of AI, saying that claims of it "taking over the World" are a "HOAX".
Anthropic co-founder Jack Clark says companies may need to have an AI "kill switch" that can be verified by a third party, in order to prevent potential risks to humanity. Clark's comments come as concerns about AI safety continue to grow, with some experts warning that unchecked AI development could lead to human extinction. Clark notes that most labs, including Anthropic, already have ways of shutting off AI software if it becomes too dangerous. However, he suggests that lawmakers may need to enforce the use of a kill switch as a precautionary measure. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has also expressed concerns about AI safety, calling for a slowdown in development and increased monitoring. However, some have questioned Amodei's motivations, with some seeing it as an attempt to justify Anthropic's high valuation. The concept of a "kill switch" is being discussed in the context of US legislation called the Kill Switch Act, which would require companies to have a way to shut down problematic AI tools. However, the UK government has rejected the idea of creating a kill switch, saying it would not prevent AI from being developed or misused elsewhere. Experts such as Geoffrey Hinton and Evan Hubinger have warned that the risk of AI destroying humanity is significant, with some putting the probability at over 10%. However, others have dismissed these fears as exaggerated or designed to generate hype. The debate around AI safety has been sparked by a series of warnings from executives and staff at AI firms. The issue is set to be discussed in more detail in the coming weeks and months, as policymakers and industry leaders grapple with the potential risks and benefits of advanced AI technology.