U.S. President Donald Trump declared on Saturday his intention to appoint a new artificial intelligence adviser, dubbed an "AI czar," and establish an "AI force." The announcement, made via a social media post, was notably short on specifics regarding the implementation of these initiatives.
This move comes amidst escalating concerns in Washington among lawmakers about the potential risks AI technology poses to humanity and property. Earlier this month, former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon voiced a stark warning, stating, "people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade." Despite these growing anxieties, Trump has consistently downplayed the necessity of additional AI regulation.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump articulated his administration's philosophy: "We will not in any way hinder or stifle the Growth of this incredible Industry. Rather, we will cherish it, help it, and watch over it, as it grows! However, we will also be looking for BAD, and we can do that, very easily, with our already existing Criminal and Civil Justice System."
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Should President Trump proceed with this pledge, it would mark his second AI czar. Venture capitalist David Sacks previously held the position before transitioning to an external advisory role in the spring. Sacks shares Trump's skepticism regarding new AI regulations, arguing at a recent Politico event that AI developers should be held responsible for the safety of their products and liable for any issues, rendering new federal rules superfluous.
The White House has yet to respond to requests for comment on Trump's latest post. The announcement also precedes Trump's scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday. Both Washington and Beijing are locked in a fierce competition for leadership in artificial intelligence, a domain considered crucial for their respective economic and military strengths. Trump and prominent technology executives contend that excessive regulation would impede U.S. AI development, thereby undermining American companies' competitive edge against Chinese rivals—a claim often disputed by safety advocates.
Further underscoring the geopolitical importance of AI, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is slated to meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Sunday at JPMorgan Chase headquarters in New York. Discussions will cover AI security, trade, and other pressing economic matters, according to an informed source.
