House Speaker Hopes for Voluntary AI Guardrails Amid Congressional Inaction

House Speaker Mike Johnson has voiced his preference for voluntary guardrails for artificial intelligence (AI), acknowledging that Congress is still in the initial phases of developing regulations for the rapidly advancing technology.

Speaking on CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Tuesday, prior to a meeting with AI executives and President Donald Trump, Johnson highlighted the delicate balance lawmakers are attempting to strike. He suggested that industry leaders are aware of the concerns surrounding AI's potential risks.

"I hope it's voluntary," Johnson stated. "I think they see the handwriting on the wall, and I think they want to ensure investors, you know, consumers, the American public, that they're going to do this in a very safe way."

The comments come as industry executives and some lawmakers urge swift action to establish a regulatory framework for AI, with some warning of catastrophic risks if the technology goes awry. However, AI is also seen as a significant driver of economic gains and productivity improvements.

With Congress set to recess for the upcoming election in November, the window for legislative action is narrowing, increasing the focus on the ongoing discussions between policymakers and industry leaders.