The White House tech policy chief said something yesterday that basically shut down the AI safety debate.
"They keep saying their technology is unsafe, but they won't stop. So which is it? Are you scared or not? If you are, just stop."
It sounds dismissive, but he has a point.
Here's what happened
Last month on the 12th, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei published a long essay saying AI is developing too fast, it's unsafe, and the industry needs to slow down.
The same day, OpenAI's Altman, Musk's xAI, and Google DeepMind's Hassabis all publicly agreed. Four competitors, one message, same day.
Then their paying customers sued them. All four. The argument is simple: you guys are competitors, you can't decide together to slow down. That makes the services I'm paying for less valuable over time. That's collusion. That's a Sherman Act violation.
The White House's position is even more interesting
The White House says: if you really think AI is dangerous, just stop. You don't need the government to tell you to stop.
But look at what the White House is actually doing. Trump announced an "AI Force" yesterday, plans to appoint an AI czar, and wants to invest $500 billion in AI infrastructure.
One hand says "if it's dangerous, stop." The other hand is pouring money into making AI bigger and faster. The message is clear: the government wants AI to run faster, not slower.
What this means for GEO
While the AI giants are fighting each other, one thing isn't changing: AI search keeps growing. AI keeps making more decisions for users.
Latest data from GoodFirms: there are now 1,201 GEO agencies worldwide across 81 countries. That tells you something. "Getting AI to recommend you" isn't a concept anymore. It's a real industry with real agencies and real clients paying for real results.
The White House investing $500 billion in AI infrastructure will only make AI search more powerful and more widespread. More opportunities for brands to be mentioned in AI answers. But also more competition.
Get in now, you're an early player. Wait until the AI Force is set up, the standards are published, and everyone knows about GEO—that's when it becomes a red ocean.
*Sources: Phoenix Tech, Business Insider, Startup Fortune (September 21, 2026)*