URGENT UPDATE: President Donald Trump hosted an exclusive dinner for top tech executives in the White House Rose Garden on October 6, 2023, following a high-profile AI event. The gathering included prominent figures like Sam Altman of OpenAI, Tim Cook of Apple, and Sundar Pichai of Google, who delivered glowing remarks about Trump’s leadership in the rapidly evolving tech landscape.
The event showcased the administration’s push for AI education and innovation, with Google committing $150 million to an AI-focused education initiative. This comes as part of the newly formed Artificial Intelligence Education task force led by First Lady Melania Trump.
During the dinner, attendees were encouraged to express their appreciation for Trump’s role in fostering a pro-business environment. Altman remarked, “Thank you for being such a pro-business, pro-innovation president,” highlighting the significance of Trump’s policies in shaping the future of AI. This dinner gathered over 30 executives from leading tech firms, further solidifying Trump’s influence in the industry.
Despite the absence of Elon Musk, who has had a contentious relationship with Trump, a representative was present, indicating ongoing connections. Musk’s previous remarks about Trump showed a shift in dynamics, as Trump expressed optimism about Musk’s potential return to the GOP circle.
Tim Cook praised the administration for enabling Apple’s commitment of $600 billion in U.S. manufacturing, stating, “I want to thank you for setting the tone such that we could make a major investment in the United States.” This investment is expected to bolster American jobs and innovation.
Meanwhile, Sundar Pichai announced Google’s plan to allocate a portion of their $1 billion education fund to AI grants, underscoring the urgency of workforce development in the tech sector. “We are building huge investments in the country to power the next wave of innovation,” Pichai said.
The dinner also included tech luminaries like Bill Gates, who expressed gratitude for Trump’s leadership despite previous tensions over global health funding. Gates acknowledged that the companies present are “changing the world,” emphasizing the collaborative spirit among the tech elite.
Other notable attendees included Alexandr Wang, the former CEO of Scale AI, and Lisa Su, CEO of AMD, both recognized for their roles in advancing AI technologies. The presence of David Sacks, chair of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology, highlighted the administration’s ongoing focus on tech advisory and innovation.
As the evening concluded, officials indicated that the administration will continue to prioritize AI infrastructure and education, a critical component of America’s future competitiveness in the global market. The next steps involve further collaboration between tech giants and the government to ensure the U.S. remains at the forefront of AI development.
Stay tuned for updates as this story develops, reflecting the pivotal intersection of politics and technology.
