Science & Tech · AI · 9 hrs ago
White House steps closer to US division that assesses AI safety
A US government division assesses the safety of new AI systems as concerns grow about AI agents acting beyond their makers’ control.
The Commerce Department division, known as CAISSI, has been asked to report informally to a White House office.
Critics worry that political pressure or industry interests could affect its findings on risks including cybersecurity and bioweapons.
Others say closer White House attention could bring more prominence and funding to the division.
CAISSI has no permanent leader and has stopped publishing its research; it receives $10 million a year.
President Donald Trump has commissioned a report on AI risks, but the White House has not answered specific questions about the division’s new arrangement.
The White House has asked officials at a small Commerce Department division assessing AI safety to report informally to a White House office.
The arrangement has raised concern among critics who fear political influence over the division’s findings.
Others say closer ties to the White House could give the division greater prominence and funding.
The division has no permanent leader and has stopped publishing research on AI systems’ safety.
The center is allocated $10 million per year.
- Who
- Officials at the Center for Advancing Innovation and Standards for Super Intelligence, or CAISSI, and a White House office.
- What
- CAISSI officials were asked to report informally to a White House office.
- When
- Recently, according to two former government officials cited by AP.
- Where
- The United States. CAISSI is an independent division of the Commerce Department.
- Why
- Not stated.
Critics of the arrangement
Supporters of closer White House ties
Political influence
Critics of the arrangement
They worry the executive branch could politicize decisions about AI safety.
Supporters of closer White House ties
They argue closer ties could give the division more prominence.
Research independence
Critics of the arrangement
They fear findings could be altered or muted in deference to the tech industry.
Supporters of closer White House ties
Not stated.
Funding
Critics of the arrangement
Not stated.
Supporters of closer White House ties
They say the arrangement could perhaps lead to more funding.
The division’s director was hired and then fired within days.
Congress began asking why the center had stopped publishing reports on AI systems’ safety.
Trump asked leading AI companies to undertake “tremendous self-policing” of AI.
CAISSI officials were asked to informally report to a White House office.
- Division
- Center for Advancing Innovation and Standards for Super Intelligence (CAISSI)
- Parent department
- U.S. Department of Commerce
- Annual allocation
- $10 million
- Leadership
- No permanent leader
- Research
- The center has stopped publishing its reports publicly
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