NBCI urges Congress to slow advanced AI until safeguards are in place

The National Black Church Initiative is pressing Congress to pause the advancement of large AI models until stronger regulatory safeguards and international coordination are established. The call adds to growing pressure on Washington as the White House and AI leaders debate whether safety rules should slow U.S. innovation.

Why it matters: - The National Black Church Initiative is pushing federal lawmakers to treat AI oversight as a priority issue for the new Congress. - NBCI says the U.S. needs safeguards before advanced AI systems become more powerful and harder to control. - The group argues that regulation is needed to reduce risks while keeping pace with rapid technological change.

What happened: - NBCI called on Congress to consider a pause in the advancement of large AI models until regulatory safeguards are in place. - The coalition said any framework should include international coordination. - NBCI said government should play a central role in setting AI guardrails. - Rev. Anthony Evans, president of NBCI, said: “Artificial intelligence must be regulated. Man must not try to play GOD unless GOD will step in.” - President Trump has taken the opposite view, arguing that more AI regulation could slow U.S. development and help China.

The details: - NBCI describes itself as a coalition of 150,000 African American and Latino faith communities representing 27.7 million members. - NBCI also works with 750 national faith-based and technology organizations. - The group says a regulatory framework should have been created earlier so safeguards would already exist as AI advances. - Trump said on Truth Social that “the only control or ‘guardrails’ that AI needs is a STRONG AND SMART (High IQ!) PRESIDENT.” - Trump also wrote that there is a “sick conspiracy” against AI and data centers and said China is the main beneficiary. - Trump has repeatedly framed AI policy around keeping the U.S. ahead of China in the technology race. - Trump criticized Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, saying he was “now pretending to be a ‘perfect little angel.’” - Amodei became the first major AI industry leader to publicly call for slowing advanced AI development over the weekend. - In an essay titled “We Must Pace the Frontier,” Amodei wrote: “We must slow the pace at which we improve the capabilities of AI models.” - Amodei proposed independent third-party evaluation of advanced AI systems. - Amodei also called for coordination among frontier AI companies in democratic countries to set common safety standards. - Amodei’s proposal included international coordination between governments. - Amodei said the plan would not halt AI development, but would let safety measures keep up with AI capabilities. - NBCI says its programs combine faith, credible research and practical strategies to address racial disparities in healthcare, technology, education, housing, the environment and economic opportunity.

Between the lines: - NBCI’s intervention shows that AI safety is no longer just a tech-policy fight; faith groups are now pressing Congress to act. - Trump’s comments underscore a split between those seeking formal regulation and those who want executive leadership and market speed to carry the burden. - Amodei’s public warning gives AI safety advocates a prominent industry voice, which could strengthen calls for voluntary standards or legislation.

What's next: - NBCI is urging Congress to make AI safeguards a legislative priority. - The broader debate is likely to intensify around whether the U.S. should regulate advanced AI first or wait for international alignment. - Industry proposals like Amodei’s could shape future discussions on safety testing, standards and cross-border coordination.

The bottom line: - NBCI wants Washington to slow down advanced AI until rules catch up, and the group is joining a wider push for federal and international guardrails.