Trump Vows to Create 'AI Force' and Cherish Industry

President Donald Trump announced on Saturday his intention to establish an "AI Force," drawing a parallel to his previous creation of the Space Force, which he described as a "tremendous SUCCESS" during his first term. This new initiative aims to support and oversee the artificial intelligence industry, with Trump stating, "We will 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!" He dismissed calls for the AI industry to slow down development, characterizing them as politically motivated "hoaxes."

Trump indicated that the existing criminal and civil justice system would be sufficient to address any "bad behavior" within the AI sector, suggesting that an "AI Force" would function similarly to law enforcement in overseeing the industry's conduct. He also predicted that artificial intelligence could eventually contribute as much as 25% to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and surpass the impact of the internet. The former president emphasized the United States' leading position in AI development compared to China and the rest of the world, expressing his intent to maintain this advantage.

This announcement comes amidst growing public anxiety over the rapid acceleration of AI technology. Trump's stance contrasts with some actions taken by different parts of the current administration, which have sought to regulate AI companies. For instance, the Commerce Department had temporarily imposed export restrictions on advanced models developed by Anthropic. Additionally, the Defense Department had attempted to label Anthropic as a supply-chain risk, a move later deemed illegal by a judge.

The formation of an "AI Force" follows a week after top AI industry leaders agreed to moderate the pace of development in response to increasingly dire warnings about the potential consequences of unchecked AI advancement. Notably, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei announced his company's commitment to a new safety measure involving independent evaluators. The backlash against data centers, a significant issue during the midterm election season, was also mentioned by Trump, though he claimed it had largely failed to gain traction. David Sacks, who previously served as AI and crypto czar, stepped down to co-chair the president’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.