WASHINGTON, April 15 - U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged that artificial intelligence could pose risks to confidence in the banking system, while also arguing the technology has the potential to strengthen and secure financial institutions, according to an interview broadcast on Wednesday.
In an appearance on Fox Business Network, Trump was asked whether AI could undermine trust in banks. He replied, "Yeah, probably. But it could also be the kind of technology that allows greatness in the banking system, makes it better and safer and more secure."
The interviewer also raised the question of whether government should have some form of controls over AI technology, including a so-called "kill switch." On that point, the president said, "There should be."
The segment on "Mornings with Maria" was taped on Tuesday and aired on Wednesday.
Trump's statements came after cybersecurity experts issued warnings this week about Anthropic's new AI model, Mythos. Those experts said Mythos could supercharge complex cyberattacks and presents significant challenges for the banking sector, particularly where institutions still operate with legacy technology systems.
Anthropic declined to comment on the warnings from cybersecurity specialists. The company has stated that Claude Mythos Preview will not be made generally available.
Context and implications
The president's comments balanced recognition of potential harms with an argument for AI's constructive applications in financial services. He explicitly supported government safeguards while also suggesting AI could enhance safety and security in banking operations.
Cybersecurity concerns highlighted by experts focused on the intersection of advanced AI capabilities and fragile or outdated technology infrastructures within some banks. The warnings underscore tensions between the potential for AI to improve systems and the ways it might be exploited to mount more sophisticated attacks.
The public record in this interview and the cybersecurity statements is limited to the quotes and the companies named. No additional technical details, timelines, or policy measures were provided in the interview or the public responses cited.