LinkedIn co-founder flags Musk's AI policy influence on Trump administration
LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman has expressed his fears over the influence of Elon Musk, in determining artificial intelligence (AI) policies under the incoming Donald Trump administration. In an op-ed for Financial Times, Hoffman wrote about US President-elect Trump's possible bias toward certain individuals and companies. He particularly highlighted Musk, who is expected to head a proposed advisory commission named the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Hoffman highlights Musk's potential conflict of interest
Hoffman noted that Musk's involvement with xAI, an AI company, could lead to a major conflict of interest. He warned that if Musk uses his position to favor xAI, it could hurt US technological and economic security as well as competitiveness. "Using his position to favor xAI in any way...will come at the expense of US technological, economic and cultural security," Hoffman wrote.
Stance on Trump's cryptocurrency approach
In his op-ed, Hoffman also touched upon the possible pros and cons of Trump's position on cryptocurrency. He proposed that ending arbitrary enforcement policies against the cryptocurrency industry could create a more stable environment for blockchain innovation. But, he wondered if Trump could use his regulatory authority over crypto to benefit certain coins. This stems from reports about Trump Media's potential acquisition of cryptocurrency trading platform Bakkt, and launch of a native token by World Liberty Financial, a Trump-owned venture.
Hoffman's critique of Trump's 1st term
Hoffman slammed Trump for going after a few iconic US companies for personal and political reasons in his first term, creating a constant state of chaos and uncertainty. He gave the example of Amazon and its CEO Jeff Bezos, who Trump constantly attacked over USPS rates. This resulted in policies questioning Amazon's deals, further adding to Hoffman's fears of favoritism in the next administration.
Hopes for Trump's administration
Despite his criticisms and concerns, Hoffman remained optimistic about the future under Trump's administration. He said, "I very much hope that Trump succeeds wildly in enabling US entrepreneurship and innovation." He also pledged to continue building companies that bring life-changing opportunities for individuals and society. This shows a hopeful outlook amid his apprehensions about potential favoritism and conflicts of interest in the tech industry.
