As White House shields the AI gold rush, Trump family and other allies strike it rich – with few guardrails

Donald Trump's sons have secured significant Pentagon funding and contracts for AI-related ventures, including a $620 million loan and a Marine Corps robotics deal. This occurs as public support for AI declines and the President actively defends the industry, arguing against new restrictions and framing them as a threat to US competitiveness against China. These developments coincide with warnings from AI researchers about the technology's risks and a demonstration of AI's potential for rapid cyberattacks. Meanwhile, polling indicates a majority of Americans oppose AI data centers in their communities, and Congress is moving to address their infrastructure costs. The Trump family's financial interests in AI infrastructure and defense technology have drawn scrutiny from lawmakers and ethics watchdogs.

Donald Trump announced plans to appoint an artificial intelligence czar and create an "AI Force" to monitor the technology. This move comes as global fears over AI grow, with industry figures raising alarms about its dangers. Trump has been critical of calls to slow AI development, viewing it as a competition with China and a potential economic boon for the US, which he believes is currently leading the world. He dismissed concerns about AI's existential threat as a "hoax" and stated his administration would not hinder the industry's growth. This announcement follows similar calls for caution from within his own party and from state officials like California's governor.

President Donald Trump announced plans to establish an "AI Force" and appoint an artificial intelligence tsar. He stated his administration will not hinder the growth of the AI industry, pushing back against calls for slower development and increased safeguards. Trump emphasized AI's potential economic impact, comparing it to the Industrial Revolution and the internet, and expressed a desire for the US to maintain leadership over China in this field. He indicated that existing justice systems would be used to address any misuse of AI. These statements were made via social media on a Saturday, amid growing warnings about AI's potential dangers.

President Donald Trump announced plans to establish an "AI Force" and appoint a new "AI czar" to oversee the nation's artificial intelligence industry. He stated this initiative aims to protect and advance AI development, which he described as crucial for economic growth and the "next Industrial Revolution." Trump likened the AI Force to the Space Force and emphasized a commitment to fostering, not hindering, the industry's growth. This announcement comes amid widespread concerns about AI's rapid advancement from both the public and tech executives, some of whom have called for a development slowdown due to safety risks. Trump previously had an AI czar, David Sacks, who resigned and became an external adviser.