Trump Administration Excludes AI Safety Institute Staff from Paris AI Summit Delegation
The upcoming major artificial intelligence summit in Paris is set to host around 100 countries to explore AI's potential on February 10 and 11. However, sources close to Washington's plans have revealed that the U.S. delegation will not include technical staff from the country's AI Safety Institute.
Leading the U.S. contingent to France will be Vice President JD Vance, accompanied by members of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, including Principal Deputy Director Lynne Parker and Senior Policy Advisor for Artificial Intelligence Sriram Krishnan.
Despite initial plans, officials from the Homeland Security and Commerce Departments, including representatives of the U.S. AI Safety Institute, will not be attending the summit, as confirmed by anonymous sources familiar with the matter.
The AI Safety Institute, established under former President Joe Biden, focuses on assessing and addressing risks associated with AI. It has collaborated with leading U.S. startups like OpenAI and Anthropic for safety testing, emphasising its bipartisan approach.
With the new administration's unclear stance on the institute, now without a director, and President Trump revoking a previous AI executive order linked to Biden, the future direction of the AI Safety Institute remains uncertain.
The absence of the U.S. AI Safety Institute staff at the Paris summit is seen as a reflection of the ongoing transition within the Commerce Department, where the institute is housed, following Trump's recent inauguration. The summit itself is expected to have a broader focus on AI's potential rather than solely on the risks associated with the technology.
The International Network of AI Safety Institutes, chaired by the United States and comprising members from various countries globally, is anticipated to participate in the summit. U.S. delegates may engage in discussions within the network, highlighting the importance of Washington's leadership in innovation, particularly in light of China's advancements in AI.
The U.S. delegation to the Paris AI summit will not include technical staff from the AI Safety Institute.
The AI Safety Institute, established under former President Joe Biden, focuses on mitigating risks associated with AI.
The exclusion of the institute's staff reflects the ongoing transition within the Commerce Department post-Trump's inauguration.
Source: REUTERS