The US Department of Commerce has renamed its former AI Safety Institute to the Centre for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) to combat national security risks and prevent “burdensome and unnecessary regulation” abroad.
-Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Commerce, said the overhaul would help “evaluate and enhance US innovation” and “ensure US dominance of international AI standards”.
CAISI will now investigate demonstrable risks, such as biosecurity, cybersecurity, chemical weapons and malign foreign influence arising from the use of adversaries’ AI systems.
The change in focus mirrors the Trump administration’s wider attempt to accelerate American AI expansion, including an increase in generative AI adoption and a 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulations.