Washington: US President Donald Trump has announced plans to appoint a new artificial intelligence adviser, or “AI czar”, and create an “AI force” as the United States steps up its focus on artificial intelligence amid growing competition with China.
Trump announced the plans in a post on Truth Social on Saturday, September 19, but did not provide details about the proposed AI force, including its structure, funding, leadership or timeline. He said his administration would support the expansion of the AI industry while relying on existing criminal and civil justice systems to address potential wrongdoing.
The announcement comes just days before Trump’s scheduled meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, with AI expected to be among the issues surrounding the broader US-China economic and strategic relationship.
Trump announces new AI czar and AI force
Trump said he intends to appoint a new official to oversee artificial intelligence policy and establish an “AI force”. His announcement did not specify whether the proposed force would be a new federal agency, an inter-agency group or another type of government body.
The US President said his administration would not hinder the growth of the AI industry. He also indicated that existing criminal and civil laws could be used to deal with harmful or unlawful activity involving AI.
The proposed structure is therefore still unclear. Unlike established federal organisations, the AI force does not yet have a publicly announced mandate, staffing structure or implementation timetable.
The White House has not, based on the announcement, provided a detailed framework explaining how the new initiative would interact with existing US agencies working on artificial intelligence, national security, technology policy and research.
Move comes ahead of Xi Jinping meeting
Trump’s announcement comes shortly before his planned meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday.
Artificial intelligence has become an increasingly important part of the strategic competition between Washington and Beijing. Both countries are investing heavily in AI research, computing infrastructure, advanced chips and commercial applications.
The India Today report said the US and China view AI as strategically important to both economic and military strength. The two governments have also taken different approaches to technology restrictions and regulation, particularly around advanced computing and semiconductor technology.
The timing of Trump’s announcement places AI firmly within the broader US-China technology competition.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is also scheduled to meet Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng in New York. According to reporting cited by India Today, those discussions are expected to cover AI security, trade and other economic issues.
Why the US-China AI race matters
The United States and China are competing across several parts of the AI ecosystem.
These include the development of advanced AI models, access to high-performance computing, semiconductor manufacturing, data-centre capacity and deployment of AI systems across businesses and government.
Washington has imposed restrictions affecting China’s access to some advanced semiconductor technologies, while Beijing has continued to support domestic development of AI and computing capabilities.
The competition is not limited to commercial technology. AI is also increasingly connected to cybersecurity, defence, intelligence and industrial policy.
Against this backdrop, Trump’s proposed AI force could become part of a wider effort to coordinate US policy around artificial intelligence. However, its precise role will depend on the details of the initiative, which have not yet been announced.
AI safety concerns are growing
Trump’s announcement comes as debate over the potential risks of increasingly capable AI systems intensifies in the US.
Earlier this month, former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon warned that people working in AI seriously consider the possibility that the technology could pose an existential threat within the decade.
Trump has repeatedly rejected calls for additional restrictions on AI development, arguing that excessive regulation could slow the growth of the US industry.
Other technology leaders and AI safety advocates have called for greater caution and additional safeguards.
The disagreement centres on how governments should balance rapid technological development with concerns about safety, accountability and potential misuse.
Some technology executives have argued that developers should be responsible for making their products safe, while others have called for stronger government oversight.
Trump previously had an AI czar
The proposed appointment would not be the first time the Trump administration has had an AI czar.
Venture capitalist David Sacks previously served in the role before stepping down in the spring and moving into an external advisory position.
Sacks has argued against additional federal AI regulation and has said AI developers should be responsible for the safety of their products. He has also suggested that companies could be held liable when their AI systems cause problems.
Trump’s decision to appoint another AI adviser would therefore restore a dedicated position within his administration at a time when AI policy is becoming increasingly significant.
However, it remains unclear whether the new adviser would have responsibilities similar to those previously handled by Sacks or receive a broader mandate through the proposed AI force.
AI regulation remains a major US debate
The announcement also comes amid a wider debate in Washington over whether existing laws are sufficient to address AI-related risks.
Supporters of a lighter regulatory approach argue that excessive rules could slow innovation and make it harder for American companies to compete internationally.
AI safety advocates, meanwhile, have raised concerns about the ability of existing legal frameworks to address rapidly developing technologies, particularly when AI systems become more autonomous and capable.
The disagreement is not limited to one political party or one section of the technology industry. Policymakers and technology experts have differing views about how quickly AI should develop and how much government oversight is appropriate.
Trump’s latest announcement indicates that his administration intends to prioritise AI growth while relying heavily on existing legal mechanisms rather than introducing broad new restrictions.
Details of AI force are still unknown
Despite the attention surrounding the announcement, significant questions remain unanswered.
Trump has not said how many people would form the AI force, which government departments would participate, who would lead it or how it would be funded.
It is also unclear whether the force would have regulatory authority or primarily coordinate AI development and policy across existing agencies.
The comparison with the US Space Force has been noted in reporting, but the AI force’s eventual structure could be very different. The Space Force was established through legislation and has a defined military role, while no comparable framework has yet been announced for Trump’s proposed AI initiative.
More information is likely to emerge if the White House publishes formal plans or announces the new AI adviser.
AI becomes a bigger geopolitical issue
Trump’s announcement highlights how artificial intelligence has moved beyond being primarily a technology-sector issue.
Governments increasingly view AI capabilities as relevant to economic competitiveness, national security, defence, scientific research and industrial policy.
For the US, maintaining technological leadership over China has become a major part of AI policy discussions. For China, developing domestic AI capabilities is similarly tied to broader technology and economic objectives.
The upcoming Trump-Xi meeting could therefore provide more clarity about how AI fits into the two countries’ wider relationship.
Any discussions around AI security, advanced chips, technology controls or cooperation could have implications for companies and researchers operating in both countries.
What happens next
The immediate next step will be determining who Trump selects as the new AI czar and what authority the person receives.
The administration will also need to clarify what the AI force is intended to accomplish and how it will work with existing government agencies.
For the technology industry, the announcement signals continued support from the Trump administration for rapid AI development. For AI safety advocates, it also raises questions about whether existing legal systems will be sufficient as AI capabilities advance.
The US-China competition adds another layer to the debate, with policymakers attempting to balance innovation, national security and safety.
For now, Trump’s announcement is a plan rather than a fully detailed government programme. The eventual impact will depend on the structure, authority and responsibilities assigned to the new AI adviser and proposed force.