While major AI labs have recently expressed support for slowing development to address risks, Johnson maintains that these private entities have the power to halt or pace their work without government mandates.
This hands-off approach highlights a significant tension between legislative caution and the fast-moving AI industry.
Johnson warned that hasty government restrictions could stifle American innovation and cause the United States to lose its competitive advantage against China, which he described as a potential threat to national security.
By resisting an "emergency moratorium," or a temporary ban on development, the Speaker is prioritizing the maintenance of a global technological edge while urging companies to fulfill their corporate responsibility to keep products safe.
To find a path forward, Johnson proposed a meeting between President Trump, members of Congress, and top AI executives to discuss potential guardrails—the safety measures designed to prevent the technology from causing harm.
He noted that there is currently no consensus among industry leaders on what these rules should look like and argued that those pushing the boundaries of the frontier are better qualified than lawmakers to understand the technical complexities involved.
For now, the strategy focuses on a partnership between the public and private sectors rather than immediate federal regulation.