Trump Plans Second AI Czar, Rejects Regulation Amid Safety Warnings

Trump announces new AI leadership amid regulatory debate

President Donald Trump has announced plans to appoint a new artificial intelligence adviser to his administration and establish what he calls an "AI force," though he provided no details about either initiative's structure or responsibilities, according to The Media Line.

The appointment would mark Trump's second AI czar. Venture capitalist David Sacks previously held the position before stepping down this spring to transition into an external advisory role.

The announcement comes as Trump has taken a firm stance against regulating the AI industry, arguing that existing criminal and civil laws provide sufficient safeguards against harmful applications of the technology.

Why it matters

The tension between rapid AI development and safety concerns represents one of the defining technology policy debates of this decade. Trump's explicit rejection of new regulations—while some leading AI researchers warn of existential risks—signals a hands-off approach that could accelerate deployment but potentially leave gaps in oversight as the technology advances.

Dismissing catastrophic risk warnings

Trump's position directly contradicts warnings from prominent AI researchers. During a phone conversation with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at the All-In Summit in Los Angeles, the president called concerns about AI posing catastrophic risks to humanity a "hoax."

"We will not in any way hinder or stifle the Growth of this incredible Industry," Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Rather, we will cherish it, help it, and watch over it, as it grows! However, we will also be looking for BAD, and we can do that, very easily, with our already existing Criminal and Civil Justice System."

The president framed AI infrastructure as "the oil of the next 20–25 years" and suggested that opposition to rapid expansion could benefit China or political opponents.

Researchers sound alarm on existential risk

Several AI researchers have issued stark warnings that contrast sharply with Trump's optimistic outlook. Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon recently announced his resignation, stating that "people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade."

Anthropic scientist Evan Hubinger publicly supported Coxon's assessment, writing on X: "We really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans. I personally think it is >10% within the next decade."

These warnings from researchers at Anthropic, a leading AI safety-focused company, underscore the deep divide between those calling for precautionary measures and the administration's growth-first approach.

Unclear implementation details

The administration has not clarified what role the new AI czar would play or how the proposed "AI force" would function. Without specifics on governance structure, budget, or mandate, the practical impact of these initiatives remains uncertain.

These details were first reported by The Media Line.