AI Safety Center Staff Now Reporting to White House
Officials at the federal center that assesses AI safety were recently asked to informally report to a White House office. Two former government officials told the Associated Press about the change.
- $10 million a year funds the center, about one-eighth of Britain's counterpart.
- April: the center's director was hired and fired within days.
- His replacement resigned after a few months; an acting director now serves.
- August: Congress began asking why the center stopped publishing safety reports.
Why it matters: The center tests AI systems whose risks range from cybersecurity to bioweapons. Critics worry the White House could alter or mute its findings in deference to the tech industry.
- Trump asked AI firms for voluntary self-policing but has not said how compliance is monitored.
- Sayash Kapoor of UC Berkeley says no standard process exists for testing AI agents.
How 5 sources split on this story
Where they split: Critics argue White House oversight risks politicizing safety findings, while others say closer ties to Trump could bring the center more prominence and funding.
Left coverage, 2 sources: The left frames the change as a threat to the independence of federal AI safety testing while the industry largely polices itself.
What’s next: Trump has commissioned an AI risk report from his Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.
- Director of National Intelligence Jay Clayton leads the new Super Intelligence Force.
- Will the center resume publishing its AI safety evaluations?
- Who will be named its permanent director?
- Will the White House reporting arrangement become formal?
