Trump announces AI Force and AI Tsar, dismisses safety concerns

U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Saturday, September 19, that he would create an "AI Force"—modeled after the Space Force established during his first term—and appoint an "AI Tsar" to lead it. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated the U.S. government would "not in any way hinder or stifle the Growth of this incredible Industry," emphasizing support for rapid AI development. Trump described AI as the next industrial revolution, potentially accounting for as much as 25 percent of U.S. GDP, and expressed his intention to maintain American leadership in the technology ahead of China and other nations.

Trump provided no structural details about the proposed AI Force or the specific role of the AI Tsar, saying only that the appointment would come "in the near future" and that applicants must be "high I.Q. individuals." He stated the government would address illegal misuse of AI through existing criminal and civil justice systems rather than through new regulation.

The announcement comes amid intensifying global debate over AI safety and development speed. Leading AI researchers and company executives—including figures from Anthropic, OpenAI, and xAI—have called for slowed development, independent oversight, and mandatory safety measures such as "emergency stop switches" to mitigate risks. Some researchers have warned of extinction-level threats, while others advocate for coordinated international action on AI governance.

Trump rejected these concerns, characterizing backlash against AI development as a "hoax" manufactured by political opponents, grouping it alongside climate change and other contested issues. He framed data center expansion and AI growth as beneficial for communities, emphasizing that the U.S. should prioritize industry support over regulatory restraint.

The move reflects U.S.-China strategic competition in AI and aligns with Trump's stated policy of minimizing regulatory barriers to technology development. The announcement occurred ahead of anticipated discussions between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, where AI is expected to feature prominently in U.S.-China relations.