OpenAI and Anthropic Race to Recruit Former Trump Administration Officials, Seeking to Strengthen Ties with the White House

Odaily News: As artificial intelligence technology is increasingly viewed as a national security issue, amid growing calls for stronger AI regulation and following multiple cybersecurity incidents caused by out-of-control AI systems, companies developing frontier AI technology are intensifying efforts to establish connections with U.S. President Trump's White House. Since the beginning of this year, Anthropic has appointed at least two former Trump administration officials, one to its board of directors and another as head of frontier compute strategy. OpenAI has hired at least three officials who previously served in the Trump administration, working on strategy and special projects.

Michelle Nie Duncan, a visiting research fellow with the Technology and National Security Program at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), said companies have realized that the Trump administration holds many policy tools that can affect their businesses, including federal government procurement, supply chain risk designations, and export controls, and that the government is willing to use these measures. "These companies have learned from Anthropic's experience and realized that maintaining good relations with the White House is beneficial," she said. (CNBC)