What happens when you combine artificial intelligence with deadly weapons? That’s one of the pressing issues facing David Sacks, special adviser to President Donald Trump on all things AI. And as we see the rapid expansion and adoption of artificial intelligence — not to mention a growing anxiety over its potential for wreaking dystopian level havoc — Sacks is playing a key role in shaping White House policy around the burgeoning technology. Like his close friend, Elon Musk, Sacks was born in South Africa. He made a name for himself as a venture capitalist and a Silicon Valley veteran before Trump tapped him to serve as White House A.I. & Crypto Czar right after the 2024 election. (In March, Sacks transitioned to serve as co-chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.) So given his background, it’s not surprising that when it comes to regulating AI, Sacks favors a “let them cook” approach. He’s convinced the way for the United States to win the global AI race is to move fast with minimally disruptive regulation. But with that approach comes a lot of questions about disruption to the workforce, lawsuits around problems AI has created, increased energy grid demands, all set to the backdrop of public fears around AI — and even Musk, an estranged co-founder of OpenAI, has expressed grave concerns about its potential dangers. But Sacks is an AI optimist. Yes, he says, there are potential threats — threats industry leaders are already working to eradicate. Over-regulating AI would put the U.S. at a serious disadvantage in the global marketplace “AI,” Sacks says, “is going to solve the problem that AI creates.”This interview has been edited for length and clarity. AI is a huge priority for the White House, and you have been the guy that has been helping build out the framework, setting the agenda of how the U.S. should really handle this. I want to start with that White House AI regulatory framework. It has these legislative recommendations guided by a vision of “permissionless innovation” and “minimally burdensome regulation.” Why do you think that a technology this powerful, this disruptive should be left mostly in the hands of private companies to control. Why the “let them cook” philosophy, as you call it? Well, I think the first thing to recognize is that we are in a globally competitive environment. We’re not the only… [TheTopNews] Read More.
4 weeks ago
