This week, Axios reported that layoffs aimed at probationary employees—who are usually in their first year or two on the job—would “gut” the US AI Safety Institute (AISI) and Chips for America, both of which are a component of NIST. Additionally, according to Bloomberg, some of those workers had previously received verbal warnings that they would soon be let off.
The future of AISI appeared dubious even prior to the most recent layoff reports. As part of then-President Joe Biden’s executive order on AI safety, the institute was established last year to research hazards and create standards related to AI development. The director of AISI left earlier in February, and on his first day back in office, President Donald Trump revoked that order.
Several AI safety and policy groups contacted by Fortune all expressed disapproval of the alleged layoffs.
Jason Green-Lowe, executive director of the Center for AI Policy stated
“These cuts, if confirmed, would severely impact the government’s capacity to research and address critical AI safety concerns at a time when such expertise is more vital than ever,”.