Palo Alto Networks' chief executive said that putting a stop to artificial intelligence development is not a practical option, and he described the chance of AI causing human extinction as very low, according to CNBC.
The executive's remarks were reported by CNBC on Thursday, September 24, 2026. In his view, the idea of slowing the technology's advance does not match how the industry and its competitors actually behave, CNBC reported.
The comments touch on a debate that has divided the technology sector: whether AI development should be paused or restrained over safety concerns, or whether it should continue and be managed as it goes. The Palo Alto CEO placed himself on the side of continued development, arguing that a halt is unrealistic and that the most severe risk scenario is unlikely, per CNBC.
His position rests on a practical point. Even if one company or country chose to hold back, others would likely keep going, meaning a coordinated slowdown would be difficult to enforce. That framing echoes a common argument among executives who favor moving ahead with AI while addressing safety along the way.
The remarks also weigh in on the more dramatic end of the risk discussion. Talk of AI as an existential danger to humanity has been a recurring theme in policy and research circles, and the CEO's assessment puts him at odds with those who treat that outcome as a serious and immediate concern.
What to watch next: whether other technology leaders respond to these comments, and whether the debate over AI speed versus safety shapes upcoming policy discussions.
