U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to appoint a new artificial intelligence adviser, to be known as an "AI czar," and to establish an "AI force." This declaration was made in a social media post on Saturday, although specific details regarding these initiatives or their implementation strategies were not provided.
This move unfolds amid escalating apprehension within Washington's legislative circles concerning the potential risks that AI technology poses to both human welfare and property. Earlier this month, Jacob Coxon, a former researcher at Anthropic, issued a stark warning, stating that "people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade." In stark contrast, Trump has consistently downplayed fears surrounding AI, maintaining that additional regulation for the sector is unnecessary.
"We will not in any way hinder or stifle the Growth of this incredible Industry," Trump posted on Truth Social, his proprietary social media platform. He continued, "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."
Should President Trump proceed with this commitment, it would mark his second appointment of an AI czar. Venture capitalist David Sacks previously held the position before stepping down in the spring to assume an external advisory capacity.
Sacks, echoing Trump's stance, has expressed skepticism about the need for new AI regulations. During a recent Politico event, he argued that AI developers themselves should be held accountable for ensuring the safety of their products and could face liability if issues arise, thereby rendering new federal rules superfluous.
The White House did not offer an immediate comment when contacted regarding Trump's social media post.
Trump's announcement precedes his anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday. Both Washington and Beijing are engaged in intense competition for global leadership in artificial intelligence, a domain that both governments consider crucial for their economic vitality and military prowess. Trump and several prominent technology executives have argued that overly stringent regulation would impede U.S. AI development, undermining American companies' capacity to compete effectively with their Chinese counterparts—a contention frequently challenged by AI safety advocates.
In a related development, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is scheduled to meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Sunday at JPMorgan Chase headquarters in New York. Discussions between the two officials are expected to encompass critical topics such as AI security, trade, and broader economic matters.
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