US AI Safety Institute Braces for Significant Staff Reductions
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) may soon lay off up to 500 employees, according to multiple reports—a move that could critically undermine the newly established U.S. Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (AISI).
Key Developments in the Proposed Cuts
- Axios reports that both AISI and Chips for America, another NIST division, could see deep staffing reductions, primarily affecting probationary employees (those in their first 1-2 years of service).
- Bloomberg indicates some employees have already received verbal termination notices.
- The layoffs come amid growing uncertainty about AISI’s future, following the repeal of President Biden’s AI executive order by the Trump administration earlier this year.
Background: AISI’s Precarious Position
Launched in 2023 as part of Biden’s Executive Order on AI Safety, AISI was tasked with researching AI risks and developing safety standards for emerging technologies. However:
- The order was rescinded by President Trump on his first day back in office (January 2025).
- AISI’s director abruptly departed in early February 2025, further destabilizing the institute.
Industry and Policy Experts Sound the Alarm
AI safety advocates warn that these cuts could cripple the government’s ability to regulate AI risks at a pivotal moment.
“These cuts, if confirmed, would severely impact the government’s capacity to research and address critical AI safety concerns at a time when such expertise is more vital than ever,” said Jason Green-Lowe, Executive Director of the Center for AI Policy.
Why This Matters
With AI advancing rapidly, the potential weakening of AISI raises concerns about:
- Lack of oversight in AI development
- Delayed safety standards for high-risk applications
- Reduced US competitiveness in global AI governance
As debates over AI policy intensify, the fate of AISI could signal broader shifts in how the US approaches AI safety and innovation in the years ahead.
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