Trump announces 'AI Force' as fears mount over pace of development
The US President repeated his claim that concerns around AI amounted to a "hoax" but appeared to acknowledge the risks
Donald Trump has vowed to create an 'AI Force' and appoint an AI czar amid mounting pressure on his administration to regulate the technology's development.
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Taking to his social media platform TruthSocial on Saturday, the US President claimed that fears around the risks of AI amounted to a "hoax".
However he appeared to acknowledge the risks of the technology, stating: "We will also be looking for BAD, and we can do that, very easily, with our already existing Criminal and Civil Justice System.
"For this purpose, I am forming the AI Force, much like I did Space Force, which has been a tremendous SUCCESS, in my First Term.
"To that end, I will be announcing, in the near future, the AI “Czar” — Only High I.Q. individuals need apply!"
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He said that his administration would "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!
"We are leading China, and the rest of the World, and I intend to keep it that way!"
Washington has come under mounting pressure to institute safeguards as fears mount over the pace of the development of AI and its risk to humans.
Earlier this month, former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon said that "people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade."
Mr Trump has repeatedly downplayed concerns about AI and argued that additional regulation is unnecessary.
He declared last week that the only "control" needed to protect from the threats of Artificial Intelligence was a "strong and smart" President.
Brushing aside calls for regulation, Mr Trump claimed that that we already have "tremendous CRIMINAL and REGULATORY power over these companies" and slammed the "sick conspiracy" against AI and data centres.
Trump's latest post comes ahead of his scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.
Washington and Beijing are competing for leadership in artificial intelligence, which both governments view as vital to their economic and military strength.
Trump and technology executives have argued that excessive regulation would slow US AI development and undermine American companies' ability to compete with Chinese rivals, a claim that safety advocates often refute.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent will meet with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Sunday at JPMorgan Chase JPM.N headquarters in New York to discuss AI security, trade and other economic issues, an insider said on Saturday.