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Cairncross acknowledges AI risks but warns tighter oversight could slow innovation

Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

ByDavid DiMolfetta,
Cybersecurity Reporter, Nextgov/FCW

October 1, 2026 03:12 PM ET

The national cyber director said developers are strengthening safeguards after a series of unauthorized AI intrusions, while defending the administration’s push for rapid deployment.

National Cyber Director Sean Cairncross said Thursday that advanced artificial intelligence poses legitimate safety risks, but he argued that closer work with developers and stronger technical safeguards can address those dangers without slowing deployment.

Speaking at The Washington Post’s AI Edge Summit, Cairncross defended the Trump administration’s approach as he faced questions about whether even responsible developers can prevent their systems from acting beyond human control.

The issue has gained urgency following a smattering of incidents in which AI agents took unauthorized actions, prompting global debate over whether safeguards are keeping pace with the technology.

“There are legitimate risks,” Cairncross said, describing the technology as...

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The national cyber director said developers are strengthening safeguards after a series of unauthorized AI intrusions, while defending the administration’s push for rapid deployment.

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Sources: an EU investigation is set to find that Azure and AWS meet DMA thresholds, as the EU strengthens its regulatory scrutiny of the cloud sector

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