US-China AI race: Does Trump want to regulate AI by forming a new task force and a special envoy for artificial intelligence in the US?

In the midst of growing concerns over AI's increasing power, US President Donald Trump announced the formation of an AI Force and the appointment of a special AI envoy. Trump's decision came after several AI developers and top executives from major companies urged a slowdown in AI development. In response to these calls for regulation, Trump dismissed concerns about AI taking over the world and destroying humanity as a hoax.

Trump stated that he would not slow down the industry's growth but would instead focus on addressing potential "bad" outcomes using the existing criminal and civil justice systems. The newly announced AI Force and envoy will have unspecified duties and powers, with the resources to be allocated at a later date. The move could be an attempt to counter a similar initiative by California's Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, who proposed a commission to regulate Silicon Valley-based tech companies.

California is not alone in pushing for AI regulation, with several states led by Republicans also advocating for such measures. The ongoing AI race between the US and China has raised fears of Beijing's rise as the sole superpower if China dominates the field. Chinese AI regulations are closely tied to governmental objectives, with the Chinese Cyberspace Administration responsible for issuing licenses and ensuring AI models align with state interests.

The upcoming meeting between US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at a state dinner in the White House is expected to address the topic of AI, including the exchange of information about potential risks. However, the extent of cooperation and concessions between the two nations remains to be seen, as other issues such as trade restrictions on high-performance AI chips and rare earth elements are also on the agenda.