Donald Trump plans to appoint a new artificial intelligence adviser and establish an “AI force”, although the US president has given no details about how either initiative would operate.
The announcement comes as concern grows among politicians in Washington over the potential risks AI technology could pose to people and property.
Trump said he would not allow regulation to restrict the industry’s expansion. “We will not in any way hinder or stifle the Growth of this incredible Industry,” he wrote in a post on Truth Social.
“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.”
Trump’s proposed AI adviser
If the plan goes ahead, it would be the second time Mr Trump has appointed an AI czar. Venture capitalist David Sacks previously held the role before stepping down in the northern hemisphere spring and taking on an external advisory position.
Mr Sacks has also argued against introducing new AI regulation. Speaking at a Politico event, he said developers should be responsible for the safety of their products and could face liability if problems occurred, while maintaining that new federal rules were unnecessary.
The president has repeatedly played down warnings about AI. Earlier this month, former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon said people developing the technology “earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade”.
Mr Trump’s announcement comes before his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday. The United States and China are competing for leadership in AI, which both governments regard as important to their economic and military strength.
US technology executives and Mr Trump have said excessive regulation could weaken American companies in competition with Chinese rivals, a position rejected by safety advocates.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is also due to meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Sunday at JPMorgan Chase headquarters in New York. A person familiar with the planning said the talks would cover AI security, trade and other economic issues.
