US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated on September 8 that the development of artificial intelligence must not be paused, citing national security concerns. He argued that any delay in AI progress would provide a strategic advantage to China and North Korea.
Bessent projected that the US could control 80% of global AI compute capacity by 2028, increasing from approximately 60% in 2025. He identified the semiconductor industry and access to private capital as the primary drivers for this growth.
The Treasury Secretary criticized AI companies for failing to effectively communicate the benefits of the technology to the public. He noted that this lack of transparency has led to increased local opposition against critical infrastructure projects, such as data centers and power facilities.
Bessent emphasized that the administration views AI competition as a key factor for economic outcomes over the next decade. He continues to advocate for closer cooperation between the private sector and the federal government on cybersecurity and infrastructure development.
