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Q&A

Menin asks about Axios report on catastrophic AI scenario planning

New York City Council · Oct 16, 2026 · starts 0:15:05 · 1 min

Menin cites an Axios report that major AI companies privately gamed out a public and political revolt after a catastrophic AI event, and asks whether SpaceX has assessed worst-case financial, cybersecurity, or physical harm; Castillo-Madrid says she is not familiar with specifics but takes catastrophic risk seriously.

Julie Menin

So to that end, Axios reported on October 9th, the major AI companies were, quote, privately gaming out scenarios for a public and political revolt after a catastrophic AI event, end quote.

Julie Menin

Has your company ever conducted an internal assessment or worst case outcome causing substantial financial cybersecurity or physical harm?

Member of the Public - Gabriela Castillo Madrid

I'm not familiar with any specific.

Member of the Public - Gabriela Castillo Madrid

But I will say that we take catastrophic risk very seriously.

Julie Menin

I just want to interrupt you when you say you're not familiar with any specifics.

Julie Menin

I mean, the question is, has Axios had this reporting saying that many of the frontier companies were gaming these tests out?

Julie Menin

Is that something that SpaceX AI has done?

Julie Menin

Or not?

Member of the Public - Gabriela Castillo Madrid

I cannot speak to a specific test.

Member of the Public - Gabriela Castillo Madrid

What I can say is that we do obviously test our systems and make sure there's continuous evaluation and human oversight rather than accepting any unacceptable risk.