Cathie Wood, founder of ARK Invest, rejects claims that advanced AI could lead to human extinction, calling such warnings “ridiculous” during remarks to reporters in Sydney. At the same time, she says public discussion of AI risks is valuable and portrays open scrutiny of the technology’s direction as a constructive development.
Both outlets report that Wood also addresses concerns about AI’s rapid progress by backing a “slowdown” pledge. Quartz and The Next Web describe her as supportive of industry leaders taking steps to manage how quickly AI systems are developed and deployed. While the outlets align on her rejection of extinction-focused warnings and her support for slowing efforts, they frame different emphases: The Next Web highlights her view that industry risk communication is appropriate, whereas Quartz foregrounds her endorsement of the slowdown pledge.
Overall, Wood’s comments combine dismissal of the most extreme scenario with an argument that governance and pacing matter, reflecting a broader debate over how quickly AI capabilities should advance and what risks should receive attention.
