Trump plans ‘AI Force’ and ‘AI Czar’ as US debate over technology intensifies…reports Asian Lite News Desk
US President Donald Trump has announced plans to establish an “AI Force” and appoint an artificial intelligence “Czar”, as debate continues in the United States over the rapid development of the technology and how it should be governed.
Trump made the announcement in a post on his Truth Social platform on Saturday, saying he would not allow what he described as the “decimation or destruction” of artificial intelligence. He did not provide details about the proposed structure, membership, funding or powers of the AI Force, nor did he identify who could take on the Czar role.
“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! 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 said.
Trump described AI as the next Industrial Revolution or Internet and said the technology could potentially account for as much as 25 per cent of US gross domestic product. He also criticised warnings about the potential dangers of AI, describing them as part of what he called “hoaxes” promoted by Democrats.
The announcement comes amid increasing debate in Washington and the technology industry over the pace of AI development, its potential risks and the appropriate role of government oversight. Trump has previously argued against measures that could slow the sector, while technology leaders and other public figures have raised concerns about safety and the consequences of increasingly capable AI systems.
Trump’s proposed AI Force has also drawn comparisons with the US Space Force, which was established during his first term. However, unlike the Space Force, the AI initiative currently has no announced legal or organisational framework. Reuters reported that Trump did not provide details about how the proposed force would operate or how the new AI adviser would fit into the administration’s existing technology policy structure.
The proposed Czar role would also revive a position previously held by venture capitalist David Sacks, who left the formal AI and crypto czar role earlier this year but remains an external adviser to the administration.
The announcement follows comments earlier this week from US Attorney General Todd Blanche, who said the Justice Department would investigate criminal conduct involving AI but would not take on the role of technology regulator.
“We can’t lose the AI race to China, right?” Blanche said during a White House media availability. He said the administration viewed maintaining US leadership in artificial intelligence as important, while distinguishing between investigating unlawful activity and regulating the technology itself.
Blanche’s comments came as the administration faces questions about the balance between encouraging AI innovation and addressing potential risks. The Justice Department has said it will pursue cases where people or companies involved in AI violate existing criminal laws, rather than creating a separate regulatory role for the department.
Trump’s announcement also comes ahead of a planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with artificial intelligence forming part of a broader US-China technology competition. The two countries are competing over AI development, advanced chips and technological capabilities, making the issue an increasingly important part of US economic and national-security policy.
For now, the proposed AI Force and Czar remain plans rather than fully defined government structures. Further details on their responsibilities, authority and implementation are expected to determine how the initiative fits into the US administration’s wider approach to artificial intelligence.
