The future of US AI oversight looks increasingly uncertain as cuts hit multiple government agencies. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has lost key teams reviewing AI in medical devices, while the AI Safety Institute faces potential losses of up to 500 staff.
At the FDA, the cuts hit specialised units evaluating AI software for cancer detection, surgical robots, and brain-computer interfaces like Neuralink. Four of the eleven experts reviewing surgical robot safety were removed, despite their positions being funded by industry fees rather than taxpayers.
“The institutional knowledge we’re losing is just horrific,” said Albert Yee, an expert in biomechanics and robotics who was briefly fired before being reinstated. “These devices have become so complex that diverse expertise is critical to evaluate not just safety but also cybersecurity.”
Meanwhile, the US AI Safety Institute’s expected staff reductions follow President Trump’s repeal of Biden’s executive order on AI safety. In contrast, the UK has strengthened its approach by rebranding its AI Safety Institute to focus on security threats and striking new partnerships with companies like Anthropic.
Takeaways: These cuts could slow US progress in AI innovation and safety oversight just as the technology accelerates. With reduced expertise in key agencies, the US risks falling behind other nations in shaping responsible AI development.