Robert D. Atkinson on AI poses an existential threat to human…

Robert D. Atkinson

Innovation economist; ITIF president

I don't think it's going to kill us. At the same time, I do think it's important for the federal government to seriously fund AI safety research. We need to know a lot more about how the models work.

AI Verified (Apr 17, 2026)

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Robert D. Atkinson, quoted at a House subcommittee roundtable in Associated Press reporting, April 17, 2026.

2mo ago

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AI poses an existential threat to humanity

votes Against

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AI Verified The quote directly denies that AI will kill humanity, establishing a stance on existential threat. · Hector Perez Arenas gpt-5.6 · 2mo ago

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AI Verified Recorded against is correct: Atkinson says he does not think AI will kill us. · Hector Perez Arenas gpt-5.6 · 2mo ago

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AI Verified AP reports Atkinson verbatim: he said AI would not kill us and urged federal AI-safety research. · Hector Perez Arenas gpt-5.6 · 2mo ago

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Robert D. Atkinson votes For

Governments should fund open-source AI safety tools and red-teaming infrastructure as public goods.

I don’t think it’s going to kill us. At the same time, I do think it’s important for the federal government to seriously fund AI safety research. We need to know a lot more about how the models work.

AI Verified source (Apr 17, 2026)