President Donald Trump announced on a Saturday that he intends to form an "AI Force" and appoint an "AI Czar" to oversee the development of artificial intelligence in the United States. In a post on Truth Social, the president characterized concerns that AI could become a superintelligence threatening human existence as a "hoax." He stated that his administration would foster the industry's growth rather than stifle it, asserting that the existing U.S. criminal and civil justice systems are sufficient to address potential harms.
The announcement follows the departure of David Sacks, who was appointed as the "White House A.I. & Crypto Czar" in December 2024. Sacks served as a special government employee until March 2026. In an interview, Sacks supported the continued development of AI, stating that while caution is warranted, fears regarding humanity's survival are overblown. This position aligns with the president's framing of AI as a major economic driver comparable to the Industrial Revolution or the internet.
President Trump estimated that the AI sector could eventually account for as much as 25% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP). He framed the initiative as a necessary step in a technological race against China. The proposed "AI Force" was compared by the president to the Space Force, a military branch established during his first term in office. The president did not provide a specific timeline for the formation of the force or the naming of the new czar.
For the average American, this approach suggests a focus on economic growth and international competition that may manifest in the continued integration of AI into services, jobs, and infrastructure. However, the scale of this impact remains tied to the industry's actual growth rate and the effectiveness of current laws in addressing technological mishaps. The rejection of "superintelligence" warnings means that federal resources will likely be directed toward development and deployment rather than the existential risk research advocated by some industry figures.
The decision sets a precedent for how the U.S. government handles emerging technologies by treating them primarily as economic and competitive assets. It contrasts with warnings from figures like former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon, who stated on September 8 that companies are "gambling with our lives" by pursuing self-improving models. While Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has urged the industry to slow down due to "real dangers," this federal policy moves in the opposite direction. The specific dates for the formal establishment of the AI Force and the appointment of the next czar have not yet been reported.