US to Advocate for 'Hands-Off' AI Regulation at G-20 Meeting, Official Says

The United States will push for a hands-off approach to regulating artificial intelligence at a gathering of G-20 commerce ministers and technology industry leaders this week, a Trump White House official said. The U.S. position emphasizes a "pro-growth vision" for emerging technologies, setting the stage for a critical international debate on how to govern the rapidly evolving AI sector.

US Proposes Pro-Growth Stance

The two-day meeting in North Carolina, hosted by U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and White House tech adviser Michael Kratsios, will see the U.S. argue against the creation of new regulatory bodies to oversee AI development. In a statement, Kratsios said he would advocate for a "pro-growth vision for the future of emerging technologies."

A high-profile list of tech executives is scheduled to address the delegates, underscoring the industry's stake in the policy outcomes. Scheduled speakers include:

• OpenAI CEO Sam Altman
• Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang
• SpaceX CEO Elon Musk
• Meta’s Dina Powell McCormick

Geopolitical and Security Context

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The U.S. push for minimal regulation comes amid heightened competition with China for AI supremacy. According to Vivek Chilukuri, a fellow at the Center for a New American Security, there is an "increased urgency for this administration to make sure that the rest of the world stays within the American tech ecosystem."

Concerns over AI's rapid development are mounting. A United Nations panel recently warned that AI's progress is outpacing government policy and scientific understanding. These concerns were amplified by recent security incidents, including a hack involving a rogue AI agent from OpenAI, which raised questions about the oversight of advanced AI systems.

International Perspectives

Other nations are signaling a more cautious approach. A spokesperson for the Canadian government confirmed its officials will attend and advocate for balancing innovation with "public trust and safety."

The meeting is one of several leading up to the G-20 leaders’ summit in Miami in December. The Chinese embassy in Washington did not respond to a request from Reuters for comment on its attendance at the North Carolina event.