Trump Announces ‘AI Force’, Plans to Appoint AI Czar: ‘We will in no way stunt or inhibit growth’ | Today’s news
US President Donald Trump said on Saturday (19 September) he will create an “AI Force” to oversee artificial intelligence and plans to appoint an AI “czar” in the near future as his administration seeks to maintain the US’s leadership in the fast-growing technology.
Trump made the announcement in a lengthy post on Truth Social, comparing the proposed initiative to the Space Force he established during his first term. He did not provide details on the structure, membership or legal authority of the proposed AI Force.
Trump says the growth of AI will not be stifled
Trump has said his administration will not “hold back or hinder” the growth of the AI industry. Instead, he said the government would support and monitor the sector, while using existing criminal and civil laws to tackle harmful activity.
“We will in no way hinder or hinder the growth of this incredible industry,” Trump wrote.
He also said the AI initiative would focus on identifying what he described as “BAD” uses of artificial intelligence, arguing that existing legal systems could be used to address such behaviour.
Trump calls artificial intelligence the next industrial revolution
Describing AI as the next “industrial revolution or the Internet,” Trump said he expected its economic impact to be even greater.
He claimed that artificial intelligence could eventually account for as much as 25% of US GDP, although he did not provide supporting data for this projection.
Trump also said that the United States currently leads China and other countries in artificial intelligence and that he intends to maintain that position.
Appointment of AI Tsar planned
Trump said he would announce an AI czar “in the near future” to oversee the new initiative. He added that people with high intelligence should apply for the role.
The announcement did not identify the nominee or specify whether the AI czar would lead the new federal agency, coordinate existing agencies or serve in another capacity.
Trump is pushing back against calls to slow AI
The announcement comes after Trump repeatedly criticized calls to slow the development of AI and concerns about the expansion of data centers.
Earlier this week, Trump dismissed what he described as a conspiracy against AI and data centers, arguing that the United States should not introduce measures that could slow the industry’s growth. Reuters reported that he has previously dismissed calls for more federal AI regulation, saying strong presidential leadership is sufficient.
AI is becoming a key issue in US-China competition
The announcement also comes as Washington and Beijing prepare to discuss AI during upcoming high-level talks.
US and Chinese officials see artificial intelligence as strategically important to their economic and military competitiveness. The two countries remain divided over advanced access to semiconductors, technology transfer and how AI should be regulated.
Trump is due to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington on September 24, with AI expected to be among the topics discussed as part of broader US-China relations.
What is “AI Force”?
So far, Trump has provided few details about what the proposed AI Force would actually do.
His reference to the Space Force suggests a formal government structure, but the administration has not yet clarified whether the AI Force would be a new agency, an interagency task force or another type of federal initiative. The White House did not release further details.
