tech

May 8, 2026

What's behind Washington's AI safety pivot

New signals of possible changes ahead of President Trump's trip to China next week.

What's behind Washington's AI safety pivot

TL;DR

  • The Trump administration may implement executive actions to oversee advanced AI models.
  • This potential pivot aligns with President Trump's upcoming trip to China.
  • The U.S. and China are reportedly considering official discussions on AI to prevent a competitive arms race.
  • National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett hinted at an executive order for AI model safety approval processes.
  • White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles emphasized the administration's goal of deploying safe and effective technology.
  • Tech companies including Google, xAI, and Microsoft have signed pre-deployment testing deals.
  • The administration's move could be a response to growing concerns about AI progress and potential risks.