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US AI Safety Testing Center Left Without Permanent Leader, Stops Publishing Research
According to AP and Euronews, CAISSI, the Commerce Department's AI testing center, has no permanent director and has stopped publishing reports. Two former officials say staff have been asked to report informally to a White House office.
The US body that tests advanced artificial intelligence for safety has no permanent leader and has stopped publishing its research findings. According to the Associated Press, cited by Euronews, its staff were recently asked to report informally to one of the White House offices.
What was reported
The body in question is the Center for Advancing Innovation and Standards for Super Intelligence (CAISSI), part of the US Department of Commerce. Two former officials told AP that staff had recently begun reporting informally to a White House office. Euronews does not say which office.
The White House did not answer questions about CAISSI. It pointed instead to President Trump's new Super Intelligence Force, which is led by National Intelligence Director Jay Clayton.
Turnover at the top
Collin Burns, a former Anthropic researcher, was reportedly pushed out as director after four days in April over his links to the company. His successor, Chris Fall, resigned three months later. The center is now run on an interim basis by Arvind Raman, who heads NIST, its parent agency.
In August, Congress asked why the center had stopped publishing safety reports. Euronews does not say whether an answer was given.
Critics' concerns
Critics cited by Euronews fear the center could be politicized and its findings, from cyberattack risks to bioweapons, softened to suit industry. AI companies in the US have largely been left to police themselves. Other commentators argue that closer ties to Trump could raise the center's profile and funding.
Amos Toh of the Brennan Center for Justice told AP: "All of these decisions are of immense public consequence and should be explained and rationalised in the public eye," Toh said. "And that's not happening."
Toh also warned that treating AI safety as a national security matter could sideline consumer protection, privacy and civil rights.
Contrast with the EU
Euronews contrasts the situation with Europe. The EU's AI Office, part of the European Commission, has had powers to fine developers of the most powerful models since August. It employs more than 125 people and is reportedly recruiting another 40.
In September, Trump urged AI companies to commit to what he called "tremendous self-policing" under a voluntary pact. The administration has not said how compliance will be checked. Euronews also does not explain whether or when CAISSI will resume publishing safety reports.
