politics
Trump Administration Replaces AI Center Leader, Considers $500M Loan for Spirit Airlines
The Trump administration pushed out Collin Burns from leading a federal AI center days after his appointment due to concerns over his links to Anthropic. Separately, it is considering a $500 million loan to Spirit Airlines to prevent liquidation, with the Pentagon gaining a stake. These moves highlight ongoing tensions in AI regulation and aviation sector challenges.
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The Trump administration ousted Collin Burns from his new role leading the Center for AI Standards and Innovation by Thursday, just days after he started work earlier this week. Sources who spoke to The Washington Post said officials were concerned about Burns's links with his former employer, Anthropic.
The leadership role will now go to Chris Fall, a former director of the Department of Energy's Office of Science, according to sources.
One of The Post’s sources said several senior figures at the White House claimed they had not been briefed on Collin Burns's appointment ahead of his getting the job. President Trump called Anthropic 'left-wing nut jobs' in February after it refused to remove safeguards on its AI for use in surveillance and autonomous weapons.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called Anthropic 'a supply chain risk to national security' in a post on X.
Anthropic sued the Pentagon in March over the 'supply chain risk' designation. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei met with White House officials last Friday, according to reports from CNBC. ' Dean Ball said Collin Burns had been 'rewarded by his country with a punch in the face' following the move in a post on X.
The AI Safety Institute was established in November 2023 at the request of former President Joe Biden. The Trump administration changed the name of the AI Safety Institute to the Center for AI Standards and Innovation. The Center for AI Standards and Innovation is meant to serve as a point of contact between the US government and private AI firms for testing and collaborative research.
Separately, the Trump Administration is considering providing Spirit Airlines with a $500 million loan to avoid the airline's liquidation. The Pentagon would obtain a significant stake in Spirit Airlines in return for the loan. A group of budget airlines including Avelo was referenced in the context of the developments involving Spirit Airlines.
