Staff at the US center for AI safety are reporting to the White House, raising independence concerns

What happened: Staff at CAISSI, the Commerce Department division assessing AI safety, were asked to informally report to a White House office. The center lacks a permanent leader and has stopped publishing its research. Key numbers: CAISSI is allocated $10 million per year, about one-eighth the annual budget of its UK counterpart. Why it matters: Critics worry the executive branch may politicize safety decisions and that findings could be altered or muted in deference to the tech industry. Others say closer White House ties could bring more prominence and funding.

Staff at CAISSI, the Commerce Department division assessing AI safety, were asked to informally report to a White House office. The center lacks a permanent leader and has stopped publishing its research.

Critics worry the executive branch may politicize safety decisions and that findings could be altered or muted in deference to the tech industry. Others say closer White House ties could bring more prominence and funding.