What CEOs really think about the AI apocalypse threat

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on The Wall Street Journal or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: At an invitation-only Yale School of Management gathering of dozens of top US executives in Washington, 93% of attendees polled said President Trump was incorrect to call AI's catastrophic dangers a hoax
• Separately, 88% said Trump should raise AI safety with Xi Jinping when they meet next week, though only 74% expect him to

🔭 The context: Trump posted on Truth Social that AI destroying humanity is a hoax and that the only guardrails needed are a strong president, alleging a conspiracy against AI and data centres
• CNN reports administration officials are privately discussing a meeting with AI executives on the sidelines of Xi's state visit, with nothing finalised
• An NBC News poll found 70% of US adults more worried than excited about AI, and 69% opposing data centre construction in their areas, including 57% of Republican voters

🌍 Why it matters for corporate governance and sustainability: Public opposition to data centres runs on electricity bills and local grid strain as much as on AI risk, which is why the 69% figure crosses party lines
• Business leaders backing international coordination on safety standards, against the administration's position, marks a rare case of corporate constituencies asking for regulation the government is refusing

⏭️ What's next: The Trump-Xi summit takes place next week in Washington
• It remains unclear whether AI safety features will be included, while Xi is not currently expected to hold any meetings with executives on the sidelines

📈 One stat: 93% of CEO attendees disagreed with Trump's characterisation of AI dangers as a hoax

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