Tesla CEO Elon Musk, alongside Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai, recently met with lawmakers behind closed doors at Capitol Hill to discuss the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States.

They emphasised the need for a regulatory body to oversee AI’s safe and responsible use, similar to a referee in sports. Musk, who also owns the social media platform X, stressed the importance of ensuring that companies take actions that prioritise public safety.

Musk referred to the meeting as a “service to humanity” and suggested it could be a pivotal moment in history for civilization. He described AI as a “double-edged sword,” highlighting its potential benefits and risks.

Zuckerberg echoed the sentiment, emphasising that Congress should engage with AI to support both innovation and safeguards. He argued that it was preferable for American companies to work alongside the government in setting AI standards on crucial issues.

Over 60 senators participated in the discussion, with a consensus emerging on the need for government regulation of AI. However, the specifics of such regulation, including its timeline and form, remained uncertain. Republican Senator Mike Rounds noted that crafting legislation would take time, and they were not yet ready to proceed.

Senator Cory Booker acknowledged that there was agreement on the government’s regulatory role, but crafting legislation would be a complex challenge. Lawmakers expressed concerns about addressing issues like deepfakes, election interference, and the protection of critical infrastructure from AI-related threats.

U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer emphasised the importance of Congress’s role in shaping AI policy. He stated that Congress needed to participate to maximise AI’s benefits while minimising its risks.

Notable attendees at the meeting included Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, IBM CEO Arvind Krishna, former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, and AFL-CIO labour federation President Liz Shuler.

The discussions centred on balancing innovation with safeguards and addressing the potential risks associated with AI technology.