Trump to Form AI Task Force, Now Searching for an AI 'Tsar'
US President Donald Trump has announced his plan to form an ‘AI Force’. He is currently searching for an AI ‘tsar’ (a Russian imperial title), amidst increasing pressure for the government to implement limits and regulations on AI development.
As reported by CNN via a post on Truth Social on Saturday (19/09/202<0xA0>26), Trump reaffirmed his view that concerns surrounding AI are merely a hoax. However, he also appeared to acknowledge the risks posed by the technology.
“We will also monitor the BAD things, and we can do so very easily using the existing criminal and civil justice systems,” he stated.
“For this purpose, I will form an AI Force, just as I formed the Space Force—which proved to be very SUCCESSFUL—during my first term. In relation to that, in the near future, I will announce the figure of the AI ‘Tsar’—only individuals with high IQs are permitted to apply!” Trump stated in the post.
Trump has not yet explained the specific duties of the AI tsar who will lead the task force. Trump’s announcement comes amid pressure faced by the White House and Congress in recent weeks to implement safety measures regarding AI. The President dismissed these concerns, claiming there is a “SICK conspiracy” aimed at sabotaging AI.
“We will absolutely not hinder or limit the growth of this incredible industry,” Trump said in his post on Saturday (19/09). “We are ahead of China and the rest of the world, and I intend to maintain that position!”
Trump emphasised that he prioritises efforts to outperform China and maintain the economic advantages driven by AI over addressing increasing public concerns. This issue has rapidly dominated political debate in the United States after industry leaders called for a global slowdown in AI development.
The rapid growth of AI has triggered a stock market surge and supported the manufacturing sector through the construction of data centres—which Trump described as a “golden goose.” However, concerns regarding the potential of this technology to eliminate jobs and the impact of AI data centres on society have led to worsening public sentiment.
The Democratic Party has been more vocal in calling for a slowdown in AI development; former President Barack Obama even urged potential Democratic presidential candidates to place AI as a primary focus of their 2028 agendas.
“My view this week is that it is a good thing that some leading companies are stating the need to slow this pace, and we must support that move,” Obama said on Friday during a casual discussion at Colgate University, as quoted from his speech obtained by CNN. “There are those from the left who argue that we should not let them make that decision. I agree that this cannot be a long-term solution. The government must regulate this.”