“A Band-Aid on a giant gash”: Trump’s attacks on science may ruin his AI moonshot

The article discusses concerns over President Trump's proposed "Manhattan Project" for artificial intelligence (AI), which aims to boost U.S. competitiveness in this field. Critics argue that the administration's attacks on science and proposed budget cuts to agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) could undermine this initiative. They warn that slashing funding for fundamental research, which underpins advances in AI, is akin to "a Band-Aid on a giant gash." Experts caution that the U.S. risks falling behind global rivals like China if it does not invest sufficiently in AI research and development. The article highlights the apparent contradiction between the administration's AI ambitions and its broader hostility towards science. Some argue that Trump's "America First" policies, including immigration restrictions, also threaten the ability to attract top international talent needed to drive AI innovation. Overall, the piece suggests the administration's AI "moonshot" may fail if it does not back it up with sustained, evidence-based support for scientific research.