Trump names AI czar and task force to lead U.S. development

President Donald Trump announced Saturday he will appoint an AI czar and create an AI task force, vowing not to hinder the technology's growth while using existing legal systems to address misuse. Trump made the announcement on Truth Social, comparing the initiative to Space Force and stating only "High I.Q. individuals" need apply for the czar role, though no appointee was named. He dismissed recent researcher warnings as a "hoax," emphasizing the U.S. must beat China in AI development. The move follows renewed congressional discussions, with Nobel laureate Geoffrey Hinton warning lawmakers they have "maybe a year" to regulate the industry. Several Democratic governors, including Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro, have taken state-level actions, while former President Barack Obama advised Democrats to prioritize the issue.