Trump allies push for government testing, approval of ‘potentially dangerous’ AI systems
Trump allies push for government testing, approval of ‘potentially dangerous’ AI systems
Publish Date: 2026-05-18 18:49:00
Source Domain: abcnews4.com
- Steve Bannon and 60 allies of President Donald Trump, including church leaders, signed a letter urging the government to fully vet “potentially dangerous” cutting-edge AI systems.
- The letter, from conservative movement Humans First, highlights the threats of frontier AI models to American security, children, workers, and the way of life.
- The signatories call for mandatory testing and government approval for AI to safeguard national and economic interests, stressing that unchecked power from private AI developers could harm the public.
- Humans First requested an executive order requiring rigorous evaluation and government vetting of AI systems before public release, emphasizing the principle of “America First” in ensuring national security.
- The letter’s efficacy in influencing Trump’s policies remains uncertain, but it signals a growing conservative coalition concerned about the rapid advancements and ethical implications of AI without sufficient regulatory oversight.
- Concerns about AI’s effects on cybersecurity, critical infrastructure, and misinformation reflect broader societal and bipartisan anxieties over the direction of AI innovation in the U.S. and its competition with China.
- Critics like Daniel Schiff argue that the national strategy for AI regulation has been inconsistent, lacking sufficient safeguards to regulate AI companies’ impact on education, labor, and national security.
