President Donald Trump has announced plans to form an Artificial Intelligence Force, drawing comparisons to the Space Force he established during his first term in office. He posted the announcement on Truth Social and said the new initiative would be similar to the Space Force created during his first term.
Trump described artificial intelligence as a transformative technology that could reshape society more than the Internet and potentially account for about 25% of U.S. GDP in the future. He also claimed that the United States currently holds an advantage over China and other nations in AI development and intends to keep it that way.
The announcement did not specify whether the AI Force would be a new military branch or an administrative body within the federal government. It remains unclear if Trump intends to create a separate armed force like the Space Force or instead set up a policy coordination office under executive control. The White House had not provided additional details about the structure or authority of the proposed AI Force when Reuters reported on the announcement.
Trump emphasized that the government should support the growth of the AI industry rather than restrict it with heavy regulations. He argued that existing laws should be used to address illegal or dangerous uses of AI, not to slow down innovation. Trump said the government would look for what he called “BAD” behavior using the existing criminal and civil justice system.
The comparison with the Space Force also raises questions about how the new organization would be created. The Space Force was officially established by law in December 2019 after a legislative process involving Congress and the Department of Defense.
If Trump intends the AI Force to become another military branch, Congress would have to pass legislation establishing it. A civilian task force or advisory body could potentially be organized through executive action without creating another branch of the armed forces.
This latest move comes amid growing global concern over the risks of AI in sensitive areas such as nuclear command systems and cyber warfare. U.S. and Chinese officials are also discussing AI safety as part of wider talks between the two countries. Reuters reported that AI safety, trade and critical minerals were among the subjects discussed by U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York.
In a separate post on Truth Social, Trump said he would protect and promote the development of artificial intelligence as part of what he called the next Industrial Revolution. He promised that the government would not hinder or stifle the growth of the industry but instead support it with care and oversight. However, Trump did not explain how the AI Force would operate or what its specific responsibilities would be.
Trump also said he would name a new AI czar in the near future. Reuters reported that the announcement would revive a position previously held by venture capitalist David Sacks.
David Sacks, who previously served as the White House AI and crypto czar, stepped down from that role in March but continues to advise Trump. Sacks now co-chairs the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology. The White House announced in March that Sacks and Michael Kratsios would co-chair the council.
Sacks has argued that AI developers should be responsible for the safety of their products and that existing laws can be used when companies cause harm. He has said additional federal rules are not necessary.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has also supported moving ahead quickly with AI development. During the All-In Summit in Los Angeles, Huang spoke with Trump by phone and agreed that the United States should not allow concerns about AI to halt development.
Meanwhile, top executives from major AI companies have called for slower development or stronger safeguards because of safety risks. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has urged major developers to slow the pace of improvements and coordinate on safety standards. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Elon Musk have also warned about risks from increasingly powerful AI systems.
An Anthropic researcher has also warned about the possibility of catastrophic outcomes from advanced AI. Axios reported that researcher Evan Hubinger said he personally believes there is a greater than 10 percent chance AI could kill all humans within the next decade. That is his estimate rather than an established scientific forecast.
Public concern in the U.S. has also grown around AI data centers, electricity use and possible safety risks. A New York Times-Siena poll cited by Axios found that 61 percent of likely voters opposed building data centers to power AI. An AP-NORC-University of Chicago poll found that 53 percent were highly concerned about AI’s environmental impact.
State governors are responding with different forms of oversight. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order aimed at stronger AI oversight and kill-switch requirements for advanced systems. Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has imposed stricter rules on data center projects and has also called for stronger federal action on AI.
Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has announced a Data Center Accountability Framework that includes tighter permitting, transparency requirements and clean-energy incentives.
Trump’s announcement contrasts with these growing calls for caution and oversight from industry leaders and some state officials. He has repeatedly argued that slowing development could allow China to gain an advantage over the United States.
Trump has also called some warnings about AI a “hoax” and said the United States should avoid undermining an industry in which it currently has a lead. Those statements reflect his position in the current debate. Researchers, industry executives and government officials remain divided over how serious the risks are and how much regulation is needed.
IMAGE: Trump promised to bring sweeping political change, to create wealth, and to make America safe again in a speech that excited delegates on the fourth and final day of the convention. (A. Shaker/VOA). Photo: Ali Shaker/VOA / Wikimedia, taken 2016-07-21, Public domain