Scott Bessent criticizes AI leaders’ warnings as alarmist

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has a message for the AI executives warning that their own products could end civilization: fix it yourselves. In an interview on October 3, 2026, Bessent called the industry’s doom-laden warnings alarmist. He argued that sounding the alarm without offering solutions does not amount to leadership. The comments matter because they come from the official who oversees the US financial system. They also arrive while Washington and Beijing are discussing AI safety mechanisms. What Bessent said Bessent’s core complaint was aimed at prominent AI figures who talk about existential risk. In his view, they keep issuing warnings without putting forward workable answers. To make his point, Bessent reached for a horror-movie comparison. He likened the control-risk debate to Hannibal Lecter, the fictional serial killer. “Stop me before I kill again.” His preferred answer is self-regulation. He urged AI companies to take proactive steps on their own rather than wait for lawmakers to impose restrictions. That does not mean the government is stepping back entirely. Bessent said Washington should remain vigilant about potential AI threats. He drew one firm line, t...