This week's dire warnings about unchecked artificial intelligence destroying humanity are refocusing attention on how models already are being used in dangerous bioscience experiments — and the lack of safeguards. Why it matters: There's growing alarm about emerging risks from advances like AI-designed viruses. But it's hard to erect guardrails when there's no ironclad way of even knowing how some AI systems will act. - AI-enabled bioweapons are one of the worst-case scenarios researchers have raised for the kind of catastrophic danger that could wipe out humanity. Driving the news: On Thursday, Anthropic disclosed that it disrupted five potential instances of actors using its models in ways that could support the development of…
Commerce spokesperson Kristen Eichamer said National Institute of Standards and Technology Director Dr. Arvind Raman will serve as acting-director of CAISI after Fall's departure, until a new director is named.
Chris Fall, the director of the Center for AI Standards and Innovation, is resigning just three months after taking over the federal AI testing institute, the Commerce Department confirmed on Monday. Why it matters: The abrupt departure comes as the Trump administration grapples with how to deploy AI safely and the agency hashes out standards. - Commerce spokesperson Benno Kass confirmed Fall's resignation to Axios. Context: Fall was appointed in April to lead Commerce's Center for AI Standards and Innovation after the administration reorganized the agency formerly known as the U.S. AI Safety Institute. - CAISI is responsible for developing AI testing and evaluation capabilities and supporting standards for advanced AI systems. What…
Disagreement among administration officials and a time crunch with President Trump's China summit are holding up efforts to launch a federal response to the next frontier of AI. Why it matters: There's not yet any new federal AI regulation weeks after Mythos — Anthropic's most advanced model yet — threw Washington for a loop. - Early talk of federal safety reviews of new AI models has slowed down as Trump administration comments have made it clear they aren't on the same page just yet. - Leaders across the government are spooked by the capabilities of leading AI labs' latest models, but the realities of Washington are slowing down any immediate action. Driving the news: AI is likely on the agenda for Trump's trip to Beijing this…