President Trump’s 2025 executive order about ‘woke AI’ put the tech industry on notice about aligning with the administration’s views. AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson

From oversight to coercion: How authoritarian governments are twisting AI safety to get tech companies to fall in line

Authoritarian governments, including the Trump administration, are reorienting AI safety provisions away from protecting the public toward coercing support for the regime.
The front entrance of the E. Barrett Prettyman United States Court House, the workplace of Judge James Boasberg, along with other federal and appeals court judges, is seen in Washington, D.C. Philip Yabut/Getty Images

Like many populist leaders, Trump accuses judges of being illegitimate obstacles to safety and democracy

Political leaders in El Salvador, the Philippines and Israel, among other places, have also positioned judges as the enemy of the people.

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