In the United States, the non-profit Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI) has launched a public petition asking the president-elect to appoint Elon Musk as a special advisor on artificial intelligence. The goal of the initiative is to leverage Musk’s experience and influence to maintain US technological leadership while ensuring the safe and responsible development of AI. ARI, an advocacy group founded by former Democratic congressman Brad Carson, argues that Musk, given his experience and unique position in the tech industry, is the best person to help the administration manage the impact of AI . The petition, aimed at supporters of safety in technological innovation, aims to collect at least 10,000 signatures. The association also states that, with the right mechanisms, it would be possible to mitigate Musk’s potential conflicts of interest.
Musk has a complex history with AI. Although he co-founded OpenAI, he later distanced himself from the organization and expressed doubts about its management and generative AI developments. Musk was one of the signatories of a letter calling for a pause in the development of advanced AI models, with the aim of introducing more stringent security measures. ARI sees these positions as evidence of his concern about the risks of AI, although some critics argue that Musk is also acting to protect his own interests, as he now runs his own AI company, xAI.
David Robusto, an analyst at ARI, highlighted in a recent article that Musk could be a valuable resource for the US administration in defining AI safety policies. Among other things, Robusto highlights Musk’s contribution to the founding of OpenAI and his support for regulations aimed at regulating AI. However, he admits that Musk has not yet provided a clear vision on the specific policies to be adopted, suggesting that his thinking may still be evolving and could benefit from public debate.
In the past, Musk has floated the idea of a Department of Government Efficiency, a hypothetical agency that would aim to streamline bureaucracy and reduce federal regulations. Some supporters of the petition hope that, even in this capacity, Musk can preserve key AI safety bodies, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Furthermore, any cuts in government staff could lead to greater adoption of AI tools to optimize the work of public administration. Ultimately, ARI believes that combining Musk’s technical expertise and commitment to safety, if governed by appropriate oversight mechanisms, could represent an important step toward responsible AI governance in the United States.