tech
Could MAGA Turn Trump Against AI?
For the first year of Trump’s second term, the administration’s approach to AI could basically be summed up by the phrase “let them cook.” The Tech Right argued that resisting regulation was an inherently conservative stance—so Trump and officials like David Sacks happily cheered on the AI industry as it built ever-more-powerful models, disrupted industries, and propelled the stock market to new heights.
TL;DR
- The Trump administration's early approach to AI was "let them cook," with officials like David Sacks supporting the industry's growth.
- An AI safety movement is gaining traction within MAGA, pushing for guardrails and mandatory testing of powerful AI models.
- Influential figures such as Susie Wiles and Scott Bessent are reportedly advocating for AI guardrails.
- Over 60 "America First leaders," including Steve Bannon, have urged President Trump to support mandatory AI model testing.
- Key factors driving this shift include Anthropic's Mythos model exposing vulnerabilities and negative public polling on AI's potential impacts.
- Recent polls indicate strong voter support for the White House vetting AI systems for safety.
- Despite the growing momentum for AI safety, the debate within the administration is ongoing, with some pushing back against regulation.
- President Trump has discussed AI guardrails with Xi Jinping but remains generally supportive of AI's potential benefits.