Last week, Axios reported that President-elect Donald Trump was putting together a plan to appoint an “AI chief” to reshape policies governing the rapidly developing technology. While it is unclear what responsibilities this role will entail, it could play a key role in how government agencies use AI applications and collaborate with top AI officials at various government agencies appointed under President Joe Biden’s AI executive order.
The urgency of creating an AI king is underscored by the growing competition with China, which has unveiled plans to dominate the country. the world’s AI sector in 2030 and poured resources into innovation and infrastructure. The US remains the leader in AI in terms of machine learning models released, private equity investment and responsible AI research, according to a recent Stanford University report. Global AI Power Rankings. However, the US may face challenges in maintaining its margin. Appointing a moderate to lead AI programs could strengthen the country’s position in the global AI arms race.
Political observers expect Elon Musk, the President-elect to lead the newly formed. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), playing a major role in deciding who takes the AI throne and shaping the role’s agenda. DOGE aims to reduce the US national debt by reducing government spending. The AI governor’s office will likely work closely with the department to conduct these efforts.
Critics argue that Musk’s dual role as industry leader and policymaker may lead to favoritism, particularly favoring his own AI startup, xAI, over rivals such as OpenAI.
“There’s no way Elon Musk isn’t selective,” Hamid Ekbiaprofessor specializing in the political economy of computing and AI at Syracuse University, told the Observer. “He will use his new role to position xAI at a higher level than competitors with different program histories and philosophies.”
Supporters see Musk’s involvement in the role of AI chief as a positive force for the tech industry. Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI), a bipartisan non-profit organization that promotes the development of reliable AI, recently launched a petition urging Trump to appoint Musk as the President’s special adviser on AI, a role created under the Biden administration to address the opportunities and challenges of AI. it puts in the nation’s infrastructure. “No one is better equipped to help the Trump administration make America the leader in AI than Elon Musk,” it read. application page on the ARI website.
How Trump will regulate AI differently than Biden?
Trump has been vocal about his intention to roll back Biden’s AI Act, which was signed in October 2023, saying it “stifles innovation” and imposes “left-wing ideas” on technological development. However, he agrees with Biden’s vision to position America as a leader in the global AI race.
To that end, the Trump administration is expected to maintain and extend restrictions on China’s access to advanced semiconductors, building on Biden’s CHIPS Act introduced in 2022. to lead government efforts in AI safety, now hangs in the balance. As the newly created DOGE is set to focus on cutting government programs, AISI faces the risk of being disbanded.
“A light regulatory approach under Trump could create innovation, but it also brings security concerns unless transparency is prioritized to address risks and prevent overreaction,” Dave MaherCTO of data interoperability platform Intertrust has 30 years of experience in secure computing, he told the Observer. “However, there is likely to be resistance to Big Tech’s transparency – that’s where the real battle will take place.”
Syracuse’s Ekbia predicts that fostering AI innovation in today’s crowded environment will be a tough challenge for the incoming AI king, as big tech players tend to stifle competition through consolidation and patent hoarding. “The AI ecosystem will get stronger and stronger, as new monopolies emerge. For a potential AI king, that’s both a blessing and a curse,” he said.
