Trump plans to form ‘AI Force’, appoint ‘AI Czar’ amid growing AI safety debate

Washington DC: US President Donald Trump has announced plans to form an “AI Force” and appoint an artificial intelligence “Czar” in the near future, without providing details on the proposed body or the role.

In a post on his Truth Social account, Trump said he would not allow what he described as the “decimation or destruction” of the AI industry. He said the US would not “hinder or stifle” the growth of the technology, but would use existing criminal and civil justice systems to address wrongdoing.

Trump described AI as the next Industrial Revolution or the Internet and said it could potentially account for as much as 25 per cent of US gross domestic product. He also described concerns over the destruction of AI as among the “many hoaxes” he said Democrats had propagated.

Trump did not specify how the proposed “AI Force” would be structured, which department it would come under or what powers the “AI Czar” would have.

The announcement comes amid growing debate in the US over the rapid development of AI and its potential risks. Industry figures and other experts have raised concerns about the pace of AI development and called for stronger safeguards.

Earlier this week, US Attorney General Todd Blanche said the US could not afford to lose the artificial intelligence race to China. He also said the Justice Department would take action against criminal conduct linked to AI, including the alleged theft of technology from American companies, while rejecting a role for the department as an AI regulator.
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“We can’t lose the AI race to China, right?” Blanche said, adding that the US needs to remain competitive in the technology.

His remarks came amid warnings from technology leaders about the national security and other risks associated with rapidly advancing AI systems. Blanche said the Justice Department would investigate criminal conduct connected to AI but would not assume responsibility for regulating the technology.
IANS