Trump Announces AI Force and AI Czar to Boost Development, Calls Safety Fears 'Hoaxes'
President Trump announced plans to create an 'AI Force' and appoint an 'AI Czar' to promote rapid AI development, comparing the initiative to the Space Force. He stated the unit will not restrict tech companies and dismissed AI safety warnings as a 'sick conspiracy.' The announcement comes as researchers and executives have raised concerns about AI risks, including a former OpenAI researcher who resigned from Anthropic over safety issues.
The announcement caught both the White House and tech industry off guard, as Trump offered no specifics on the AI Force's structure or the AI Czar's identity. He framed the initiative as essential to maintaining American dominance over China in artificial intelligence, estimating the sector could represent a quarter of U.S. GDP. Venture capitalist David Sacks, who previously served as Trump's AI and cryptocurrency czar, has been floated as a possible appointee.
The move comes amid sharp divisions within the industry itself. A former OpenAI researcher resigned from Anthropic over safety concerns, warning that AI developers believe the technology could be existential. Meanwhile, Anthropic's CEO has urged Washington to slow development, while Nvidia's CEO dismisses such fears entirely. The Trump administration will host a UN event on AI in the coming weeks, followed by a White House state dinner.
This initiative could significantly shape the AI regulatory landscape, potentially accelerating deployment of powerful systems without guardrails. Society may face a widening gap between those who view AI as an economic opportunity and those concerned about existential risks. The framing of safety warnings as conspiracies could polarize public discourse, while the U.S.-China competition angle may pressure other nations to prioritize speed over caution.