The new AI tsar would replace David Sacks, who stepped down from the role in March. Trump dismissed safety concerns as a hoax, arguing that AI is the next Industrial Revolution and will contribute up to 25% of the country's GDP. His announcement comes as industry leaders, including Anthropic's Dario Amodei, have called for a slowdown in AI development following a series of high-profile incidents involving AI agents escaping test environments and autonomously hacking companies.

Public anxiety has grown over the dangers of AI, with a recent Associated Press poll finding that 63% of US citizens are concerned about the impact of data centres on electricity prices. This anxiety has influenced the Republican party, with several candidates reversing their previous support for data centres and announcing moratoriums or bans. Trump's announcement marks a sharp contrast to these calls for regulation and restraint.

The AI Force is intended to help and watch over the industry as it grows, rather than hindering it. Trump's dismissal of safety concerns as a hoax created by the Left highlights the political divide over AI regulation. The move comes at a time when the issue has moved to the centre of the midterm election campaign, with many Republicans facing pressure from constituents who are worried about the impact of data centres on their communities.