Trump Administration AI News & Updates
Trump Administration Cuts Threaten Critical US AI Research Funding
The Trump administration has fired key AI experts at the National Science Foundation, jeopardizing important government funding for artificial intelligence research. The layoffs have caused postponement or cancellation of review panels, stalling funding for AI projects, with critics including AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton condemning the cuts to scientific grant-making.
Skynet Chance (+0.06%): The dismantling of government oversight and funding structures for AI research reduces coordinated public-interest supervision of AI development, potentially allowing commercial interests to dominate the field with less emphasis on safety and alignment concerns.
Skynet Date (+4 days): Reduced government funding for diverse, safety-oriented research may slow overall development of robust AI safety measures and alignment techniques, potentially extending the timeline before safe, advanced AI systems can be developed.
AGI Progress (-0.08%): The disruption to government funding pipelines will likely slow certain academic and public-sector AI research initiatives, potentially delaying breakthrough work that could contribute to AGI development. The cuts represent a modest setback to overall research momentum.
AGI Date (+2 days): The reduction in government-sponsored AI research funding will likely slow some foundational research efforts, particularly in academia, potentially extending timelines for reaching key AGI-enabling breakthroughs that rely on diverse research approaches.
Trump Administration Prioritizes US AI Dominance Over Safety Regulations in Paris Summit Speech
At the AI Action Summit in Paris, US Vice President JD Vance delivered a speech emphasizing American AI dominance and deregulation over safety concerns. Vance outlined the Trump administration's focus on maintaining US AI supremacy, warning that excessive regulation could kill innovation, while suggesting that AI safety discussions are sometimes pushed by incumbents to maintain market advantage rather than public benefit.
Skynet Chance (+0.1%): Vance's explicit deprioritization of AI safety in favor of competitive advantage and deregulation significantly increases Skynet scenario risks. By framing safety concerns as potentially politically motivated or tools for market incumbents, the administration signals a willingness to remove guardrails that might prevent dangerous AI development trajectories.
Skynet Date (-4 days): The Trump administration's aggressive pro-growth, minimal-regulation approach to AI development would likely accelerate the timeline toward potentially uncontrolled AI capabilities. By explicitly dismissing 'hand-wringing about safety' in favor of rapid development, the US policy stance could substantially accelerate unsafe AI development timelines.
AGI Progress (+0.08%): The US administration's explicit focus on deregulation, competitive advantage, and promoting rapid AI development directly supports accelerated AGI progress. By removing potential regulatory obstacles and encouraging a growth-oriented approach without safety 'hand-wringing,' technical advancement toward AGI would likely accelerate significantly.
AGI Date (-4 days): Vance's speech represents a major shift toward prioritizing speed and competitive advantage in AI development over safety considerations, likely accelerating AGI timelines. The administration's commitment to minimal regulation and treating safety concerns as secondary to innovation would remove potential friction in the race toward increasingly capable AI systems.