Published on: Mon, 04 May 2026 22:37:29 GMT
Original Story: White House Considers Vetting A.I. Models Before They Are Released – The New York Times

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AI Models: Because Humans Aren’t Trackable Enough

So, the White House is now mulling over the idea of vetting AI models before they’re unleashed upon the unsuspecting public. You know, because regulating social media after it already melted everyone’s brain worked out so well. This is a direct offshoot of the AI executive order Biden signed last year. Apparently, someone finally realized that letting algorithms run wild might not be the best recipe for a stable society. Or maybe they just watched “Terminator” one too many times. Either way, color me cautiously cynical.

Pre-emptive Control: A Novel Concept (For This Administration)

The alleged reason? To “ensure safety and security.” Right. Because we all know how perfectly secure and safe everything is now. I’m sure this has absolutely nothing to do with controlling the narrative and making sure AI doesn’t start spouting inconvenient truths about, say, the national debt or the efficacy of trickle-down economics. Nope, definitely just about safety. Think of the children!

Look, I get it. AI is powerful. It can be used for nefarious purposes. But let’s not pretend this isn’t also about controlling the flow of information, especially as we barrel headfirst into another election cycle. Remember when we were promised AI would free us from drudgery? Now it’s just another thing to fight over. Joy.

Echoes of the Past: Trump’s Shifting Stance on Tech

Let’s not forget that in 2016, Donald Trump’s entire platform was built on weaponizing social media algorithms to spread misinformation and stoke division. So, forgive me if I find this sudden concern about “safety and security” a tad… hypocritical. And while Biden’s motivations may be different, the end result – government potentially controlling access to information – is equally unsettling. It’s funny how everyone suddenly cares about the potential for abuse *after* they’ve already tried to abuse it.

The Devil’s in the Algorithm (and the Bureaucracy)

The details, of course, are vague. Exactly how will these AI models be vetted? Who will be doing the vetting? What criteria will they use? Will it be some government agency staffed by political appointees with zero understanding of AI? Will there be an appeals process? Will open-source models be subject to the same scrutiny as those developed by Big Tech? These are all questions that, predictably, remain unanswered. Because transparency is sooooo 2012.

And let’s be real, even if they do manage to create a reasonably effective vetting process, it’s only a matter of time before someone figures out how to game the system. Remember DRM? Remember ad blockers? The internet has a way of routing around censorship, and AI, being infinitely adaptable, is likely to be even more resistant to control.

Project 2025 Implications

Now, let’s put on our tinfoil hats for a moment (they’re back in style, haven’t you heard?). Imagine a scenario where Project 2025 actually comes to fruition. An AI vetting process controlled by a Trump administration? Suddenly, “safety and security” takes on a whole new meaning. We’re talking about the potential for outright censorship of any AI model that doesn’t toe the party line. Dystopian, much?

The Illusion of Control

Ultimately, this whole thing smacks of a desperate attempt to maintain control in a world that’s rapidly spinning out of control. The government can’t keep up with the pace of technological change, and rather than embracing innovation and adapting to the new reality, they’re resorting to the same old playbook: regulation, oversight, and bureaucratic red tape. It’s the equivalent of trying to stop a flood with a bucket.

And let’s face it, the horse is already out of the barn. AI is here to stay, and trying to control it at this stage is like trying to un-ring a bell. The best we can hope for is that these vetting processes are transparent, accountable, and don’t stifle innovation. But given the current political climate, I’m not holding my breath.

Snarky Takeaway

So, the White House wants to vet AI? Great. Just what we need: more government intervention in the tech sector. Because that’s always worked out so well. I’m sure this will be a completely unbiased, apolitical process designed solely to protect the public good. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go build a Faraday cage around my computer. Just in case.

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