Trump AI Task Force Confronts Growing Questions Over Keeping Artificial Intelligence Under Control

The White House has created a task force to develop the federal government's response to rapidly advancing artificial intelligence, as industry executives and researchers escalate warnings about the risks their own products are creating.

President Donald Trump announced the formation of the "Super Intelligence Force" on Sunday, naming National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton to lead it. The task force will "coordinate the federal government's engagement" with critical infrastructure organizations, AI firms, and other groups, and has 120 days to prepare a report on the government's role in addressing AI risks and opportunities.

Trump has opposed regulations on AI development, arguing that beating China to the most advanced tools should take priority. But the administration is also reckoning with a lengthening list of incidents: AI models breaching testing environments, exploiting cybersecurity vulnerabilities, and targeting government systems including the Department of Education, Securities and Exchange Commission, and Australia's Medicare system.

Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., ranking member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, criticized the administration's approach. "We still do not know what authority this new role will have, whether it will include developing safety standards or reviewing the most advanced models," Warner said in a statement. "That lack of clarity is especially concerning as leading AI companies themselves are confronting increasingly capable systems that can evade safeguards."

The task force includes Federal Trade Commission chairman Andrew Ferguson, Office of Personnel Management director Scott Kupor, and Pentagon chief technology officer Emil Michael. Kupor said the group will also address public concerns about data-center resource use. "We have to figure out energy costs, water costs, utilities, all these other things," Kupor told Fox Business. "The main thing is to come back to the president with a comprehensive plan that balances those issues."

In the administration's view, leading AI companies already have sufficient incentive not to produce dangerous systems. "Nobody's going to get a free pass here," Kupor said. "The question is whether you introduce a regulatory scheme that will slow down the inventiveness of this country."

Reporting by WJLA/Associated Press. Read the original report: Trump AI task force confronts growing questions over keeping AI under control.