The Trump administration’s recent actions have raised serious concerns about the future of artificial intelligence (AI) research in the United States. According to a report by Bloomberg, several National Science Foundation (NSF) employees, specifically those with expertise in AI, have been terminated. This restructuring is perceived as a threat to the agency’s capacity to maintain critical AI research initiatives.
One of the entities affected within the NSF, the Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships, plays a crucial role in distributing government grants that support AI projects. The layoffs have led to the postponement or cancellation of numerous review panels, ultimately delaying funding for a number of AI projects.
These cuts to scientific grant-making have drawn criticism from leading AI experts. A particular focus of concern among the experts is the reduction in funding, which is being attributed to proposals from a Department of Government Efficiency led by billionaire Elon Musk.
Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneer in the field of AI and a Nobel Laureate, expressed his disapproval on X. He called for Elon Musk to be ejected from the British Royal Society, citing the detriment Musk is causing to American scientific institutions. Musk responded to Hinton’s post, stating, “I will make mistakes, but endeavor to fix them.”
