The US Department of Commerce recently announced a significant rebranding of its AI Safety Institute, transforming it into the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI). This name change reflects a notable shift in focus, moving away from broad AI safety concerns towards a more nationalistic goal: securing US dominance in the global AI landscape.
The original AI Safety Institute, established under the Biden administration in 2023, aimed to develop best practices for mitigating AI risks globally. It collaborated with major AI companies like OpenAI and Anthropic, gaining access to their models to identify and address potential issues before public release. In early 2025, the Institute even released draft guidelines that covered a range of risks, from the creation of biological weapons to the spread of harmful content such as child sexual abuse material.
However, under the Trump administration, the emphasis has dramatically changed. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick declared the overhaul necessary to “evaluate and enhance US innovation” and to ensure American leadership in international AI standards. The new CAISI will concentrate its efforts on “demonstrable risks,” such as cybersecurity, biosecurity, and chemical weapons threats, as well as countering the influence of foreign AI systems, particularly highlighting concerns about Chinese AI advancements.
This rebranding is part of a broader Trump administration initiative to accelerate the growth of American AI companies. This includes rescinding a Biden executive order mandating safety standards for large AI systems and instead promoting increased generative AI adoption in areas like education, even suggesting the use of coal-powered data centers to fuel this expansion. Furthermore, a proposed 10-year moratorium on state-level AI regulations is another contentious element of this policy shift, facing opposition even within the Republican party.
The transformation of the AI Safety Institute into the Center for AI Standards and Innovation signals a significant ideological shift in the US approach to artificial intelligence. The focus has shifted from a collaborative, global approach to AI safety to a more competitive, nationalistic strategy focused on securing American dominance in the field. This change undoubtedly raises questions about the future of international AI cooperation and the potential implications for global AI safety.
