# Sam Altman admits rightful fears of AI but calls on public to ‘trust’ tech companies > Source: > Published: 2026-09-16 15:40:56+00:00 [OpenAI](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/openai/) CEO [Sam Altman](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/sam-altman/) acknowledged growing fears about an [artificial intelligence](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/artificial-intelligence/) takeover while urging the public to trust the companies developing the [technology](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/section/policy/technology/) to prioritize safety. “I think the world is right to be afraid of this,” Altman said, adding that he is “very confident” the industry can keep AI aligned with human values. ## Stay informed.Stay ahead. Join Washington Examiner for unlimited access to the news, analysis, and commentary that matter most. [See Options](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/subscribe/digital/) Already a member? [Log in](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/sign-in/) [Click here to login/register your account](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/print-subscription-check) “The world should trust that we are going to do the right thing,” he said. Altman’s comments come after a week of dire warnings from AI researchers, executives, and policymakers about the pace of development. But concerns intensified last week after [Anthropic](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/anthropic/) researcher Jacob Coxon resigned and accused AI companies of “[gambling with our lives](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/technology/4718202/anthropic-researcher-quits-fear-artificial-intelligence/)” by racing toward self-improving AI. Coxon’s departure was followed by warnings from other former employees, spurring lawmakers to renew calls for greater oversight. Members of Congress, ranging from Sens. Ted Cruz (R-TX) to Bernie Sanders (I-VT), have expressed concern over the speed of AI development. The warnings culminated over the weekend when Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called on the AI industry to slow the development of increasingly capable models deliberately, arguing that the technology is advancing faster than safeguards can keep up with. Altman and SpaceXAI CEO [Elon Musk](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/elon-musk/) subsequently endorsed the idea, dubbed “pacing the frontier.”  Altman said the recent alarm reflects how quickly AI capabilities have advanced, with models moving from relatively limited chatbots to systems capable of writing complex software. “The models have gotten so good,” Altman said, arguing that the rapid progress has made previously theoretical concerns about AI risks feel more immediate. He also acknowledged public frustration with the industry’s approach to safety, saying companies should not make commitments to responsible development conditional on whether their competitors do the same. “There should be no qualifier on that,” Altman said. The debate has also drawn international and political pushback. [China](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/china/) has dismissed calls to slow AI development as “fearmongering” and a “Cold War playbook.” Meanwhile, President [Donald Trump](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/donald-trump/) and his administration have argued for a more hands-off approach to AI regulation. Trump repeatedly bashed the calls to slow AI’s development, calling them a “SICK conspiracy.” Vice President [JD Vance](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/jd-vance/) has not broken from the president’s stance, avoiding the topic altogether in a [recent meeting](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/campaigns/congressional/4727652/vance-steers-clear-ai-regulation-speech-house-gop/) with the House Republican conference. [ANTHROPIC CEO PITCHES AI SLOW-DOWN PLAN AFTER OPENAI-HUGGING FACE HACK: ‘WE OWE IT TO HUMANITY’](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/policy/technology/4724950/anthropic-ceo-pitch-ai-slow-down-plan/) During Tuesday’s press briefing, Attorney General [Todd Blanche](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/tag/todd-blanche/) characterized AI warnings as an effort to [influence the election](https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/white-house/4728259/todd-blanche-trump-ai-hoax-claim-democrats-influence-midterm-elections/). “Every Democrat senator suddenly races to a microphone to talk about AI after being eerily silent for months and months and months,” Blanche said. “So to talk about the timing of this as being nothing but an effort to influence the midterms, I shouldn’t have to say that out loud.”