White House AI Policy Delayed by Infighting, China Trip
SkimNews Take
The White House's internal disagreements over AI policy, exacerbated by the impending China summit, create a vacuum that effectively allows private sector AI development to proceed without immediate federal oversight.
Get the Tech newsletter
Daily tech — startups, AI labs, chips, the launches that shape the next decade. Free.
- President Trump' upcoming China summit creates a time crunch that is delaying the White House's AI safety and testing plans.
- Kevin Hassett proposed an "FDA for AI" review process, but White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and AI adviser David Sacks quickly downplayed his remarks.
- David Sacks warned that Chinese and other foreign AI models could develop advanced cyber capabilities within six months, urging immediate hardening of U.S. systems.
- Rep. Josh Gottheimer urged the use of executive action to establish AI testing procedures while Congress works on legislation.
- Center for AI Standards and Innovation publicized new frontier AI testing deals, but its website was taken down days later without explanation.
- Europe is seeking access to U.S. models like Anthropic's Mythos for security testing, adding complexity to the policy debate.
Why it matters: The postponement leaves AI developers and U.S. security agencies without a clear testing regime, while industry awaits guidance on model safety and contracts. Simultaneously, European demands for access to models like Mythos increase pressure on Washington, and the internal split threatens timely hardening of U.S. cyber defenses against emerging foreign AI capabilities.
