The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is reportedly planning to lay off as many as 500 employees, which could significantly impact the US AI Safety Institute (AISI).
According to multiple sources, including Axios, the cuts will primarily affect probationary staff, many of whom are still in their early years of employment. Bloomberg has indicated that some employees have already received verbal notices regarding their impending layoffs. This news comes at a time when AISI’s future is already in doubt.
Established last year under an executive order from President Joe Biden aimed at enhancing AI safety, the institute was designed to study the risks associated with artificial intelligence and create relevant standards.
However, the situation has worsened since President Donald Trump revoked that executive order on his first day back in office, leading to uncertainty about the institute’s direction. In addition, AISI’s director left the organization earlier this month, further complicating its stability.
Various AI safety and policy organizations have expressed concern over the potential layoffs. Jason Green-Lowe, the executive director of the Center for AI Policy, emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong government presence in AI safety research.
He stated that these cuts, if they go through, would greatly hinder the government’s ability to tackle critical AI safety issues, especially at a time when such expertise is increasingly necessary.
The potential layoffs could undermine the progress made in establishing a framework for AI safety, leaving the future of the institute and its mission in jeopardy. As discussions around AI regulation and safety continue to grow, the impact of these layoffs could resonate beyond the immediate workforce, affecting the broader landscape of AI research and policy in the United States.
