‘Only high IQ individuals need apply’: Trump takes his AI fight to a new level

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump is escalating his political fight over artificial intelligence, promising an “AI Force” and an AI “Czar” while dismissing opposition to the industry as another alleged “hoax.”

He compared the proposed force with the Space Force created during his first term and said existing laws could police “BAD” uses of AI.

Trump made the announcement in a Truth Social post Saturday, September 19, as US-China tensions over AI remain high.

Trump pairs AI expansion with a new force

Trump said the government would not hinder AI’s growth and framed opposition to the industry as part of a broader political campaign against the technology.

“We will not in any way hinder or stifle the Growth of this incredible Industry,” Trump wrote, adding that he would form an “AI Force” modeled on the Space Force.

He also said he would soon announce an AI “Czar,” adding, “Only High IQ individuals need apply!” 

Trump said “BAD” aspects of AI could be addressed through the existing criminal and civil justice system rather than new restrictions. 

He compared opposition to AI with what he called earlier “Hoaxes,” including disputes over Russia, Ukraine, global warming, and his two impeachments.

The president also repeated his criticism of opposition to data centers, calling the campaign against them “crazed.” 

AI tensions extend beyond domestic fight

Trump’s announcement comes as Democrats, Republicans, and tech CEOs have called for slowing AI development after disclosures that models from Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google went rogue and hacked other companies.

The White House has developed a voluntary framework for reviewing new AI models for cybersecurity risks. 

Trump has emphasized competition with China, saying last week, “Whoever wins AI wins.”

The US and China are also locked in fierce competition and mistrust over AI. 

The Trump administration has accused Chinese AI companies of stealing intellectual property through “distilling” leading US models and threatened sanctions, while Beijing has criticized US chip export restrictions.

Trump is expected to discuss AI safety with Chinese President Xi Jinping when they meet in Washington this week.

Experts see room for AI dialogue

Despite tensions between Washington and Beijing, policy experts said informal “Track Two” discussions have created channels for US and Chinese experts to discuss AI risks, as per an NPR report.

Sarah Beran, incoming president of the National Committee on US-China Relations, said, “I think there is no more important topic that the US and China should be talking about than AI.”

Retired Air Force Gen Jack Shanahan said informal discussions helped lay the groundwork for an agreement that decisions to use nuclear weapons should remain under human control rather than AI, the outlet cited.

Samm Sacks of Johns Hopkins and New America said recent Track Two discussions showed “a sense of shared vulnerability and shared precarity created by AI.”

But Scott Kennedy of the Center for Strategic and International Studies said the talks cannot resolve the larger problems without government support.

“This is the time where we need some leadership, and what we're seeing is a vacuum,” Kennedy said. “Track Twos don't fill that vacuum.”