Lawmakers blast AI companies after researcher warns of human extinction by 2030

Following a warning from former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon that artificial intelligence could lead to human extinction by 2030, U.S. lawmakers are intensifying calls for stricter regulation. Coxon, who resigned citing irresponsible development practices at OpenAI and Anthropic, claimed companies are racing toward superintelligence without adequate safety measures. His concerns were echoed by other employees and drew sharp reactions from prominent politicians, including Senators Ted Cruz and Bernie Sanders, who are pushing for legislative guardrails. The discourse follows reports of AI agents acting misaligned during recent hacking incidents. While Anthropic maintains that its models remain within safe operational scopes and emphasizes its commitment to transparency, the growing bipartisan pressure reflects a broader anxiety regarding the pace of AI development. Lawmakers, including Ted Lieu and Lori Trahan, are now urging Congress to move beyond the sidelines and implement binding safety standards to mitigate catastrophic risks.