tech
How Big Tech Got Its Way on Trump's AI Executive Order
The US president's reversal on calling for a safety review of new AI models is a green light for tech's unchecked power
TL;DR
- President Trump postponed an executive order for a government safety review of new AI models just hours before it was to be signed.
- Trump cited competition with China and maintaining US technological leadership as reasons for the reversal.
- Tech leaders, including Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg, reportedly influenced Trump's decision through private calls, opposing AI regulation.
- The decision allows the tech industry to continue rapid AI advancement with minimal government oversight.
- Concerns about AI security risks were heightened by the announcement of Anthropic's Claude Mythos model, which could find vulnerabilities in computer code.
- Despite potential harms, the AI industry has successfully lobbied against regulation, supported by significant political donations to Republican causes.
- A draft of the proposed order indicated it would not have created mandatory licensing or preclearance requirements for AI models.