Tech News FYP

During the inaugural press briefing of Donald Trump’s second administration, the newly appointed White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt, addressed the gathered reporters with a sense of urgency regarding the emerging threats posed by advancements in artificial intelligence, particularly highlighting the recent developments surrounding China’s DeepSeek AI startup. Leavitt stated that the National Security Council (NSC) was currently “looking into” the potential security implications associated with DeepSeek’s innovations. According to a report from Axios, DeepSeek has introduced low-cost yet highly advanced artificial intelligence models that have disrupted the previously held belief that the United States maintained a significant advantage over China in the race for AI supremacy.

In response to a probing question posed by Axios’ Mike Allen, Leavitt conveyed that President Trump perceives the rise of DeepSeek as a “wake-up call” for the American AI industry, a situation that underscores the urgent need for the United States to reassess and strengthen its position in the global AI landscape. Despite the challenges, Leavitt expressed her confidence that “we’ll restore American dominance” in this critical technological sector. She revealed that she had personally engaged in discussions about these pressing matters with members of the NSC earlier that very Tuesday, emphasizing the administration’s proactive stance.

Throughout her briefing, Leavitt adopted a combative tone, which has become a hallmark of her communication style. She criticized the previous Biden administration, accusing it of complacency by stating that it “sat on its hands and allowed China to rapidly develop this AI program.” In stark contrast, she highlighted former President Trump’s decisive actions during his tenure, which included the swift appointment of an AI czar and the relaxation of regulatory barriers affecting the AI industry.

Additionally, Leavitt addressed another topic of interest that had captured public attention: the mysterious drones that had been spotted flying around New Jersey towards the end of the previous year. She clarified that these drones were “authorized to be flown by the FAA,” providing assurance that their presence was sanctioned and part of a regulated activity. This clarification aimed to alleviate any concerns regarding the safety and legality of the drone operations, further showcasing the administration’s commitment to transparency in its communications with the public.