President Trump has voiced strong support for artificial intelligence while announcing the creation of an “AI Force” to oversee the emerging technology. He also sought to recast criticism of data centers as part of what he called a “Democrat hoax.”
In a lengthy Truth Social post on Saturday afternoon, Trump compared concerns about data centers’ environmental impact with climate change and several other politically divisive issues.
“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!” Trump wrote about AI.
“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 then introduced the “AI Force” and said he would appoint an “AI Czar” who would seemingly be responsible for monitoring AI development.
In a separate post, the president suggested replacing the term “artificial intelligence” with names such as superior intelligence, extreme intelligence or supreme intelligence. He described the technology as an “ever-growing revolution.”
Trump provided few details about how the AI Force would function, but compared the proposed organization with the Space Force.
Trump established Space Force in 2019 as the sixth branch of the US military. It remains unclear whether the proposed AI Force would also operate under the Department of Defense.
Donald Trump announced the formation of a new department called the “AI Force” in a Truth Social post on Saturday
Trump’s endorsement of AI comes as concerns about the technology continue to grow. Protesters are pictured at a “Stop the AI Race” demonstration in San Francisco on Thursday
Trump ended his post by urging only “high IQ” candidates to apply for the czar position and calling AI the “next Industrial Revolution.”
“We are leading China, and the rest of the world, and I intend to keep it that way!” the president wrote.
Trump is scheduled to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping next week. US officials have previously said the two leaders are expected to discuss AI.
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The United States and China both regard AI as essential to their economic power and are competing to establish global dominance in the field.
Trump’s renewed emphasis on AI came one day after CNN reported that an AI-generated intelligence assessment had falsely identified material aboard a Chinese ship in the Middle East.
Multiple sources told the outlet that a US special operations analyst had used an AI chatbot to examine the ship’s manifest. The analyst incorrectly determined that the vessel was carrying components linked to a nuclear weapons program.
Military planners quickly began preparing to intercept the ship. Soldiers readied themselves to board the vessel while aircraft were sent into the air for the operation.
Shortly before the mission was due to begin, officials conducted another review and discovered that AI had helped produce the intelligence assessment. They then realized the technology had misidentified the material on the ship.
Communities hosting AI data centers have raised objections to the facilities. The Stargate AI data center in Texas is pictured above
One source described the AI-generated report as “entirely false” and said it had “almost started a war” with China. Any military action against the vessel could have triggered a confrontation between the two global powers.
The US’s emphasis on developing AI has boosted the stock market through data center construction, but criticism of the industry has mounted.
Former employees with major AI companies have sounded the alarm on the technology’s dangers.
Jacob Coxon, a former researcher at Anthropic, outlined in a series of social media posts why he resigned, accusing his company and OpenAI of ‘racing straight to self-improving superintelligence and gambling with our lives.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to the White House for comment and additional information.
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