GoKawiilPentagon CTO Emil Michael opposes government equity stakes in AI firms
Emil Michael, the Department of Defense's chief technology officer, said Wednesday he hopes the Trump administration will not pursue nationalization or partial ownership stakes in artificial intelligence companies. He made the remarks on CNBC's 'Squawk on the Street,' contrasting AI policy with the administration's recent equity moves in firms like Intel and U.S. Steel. Michael also voiced skepticism toward tightening regulatory oversight of AI companies.
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The comments highlight tension within the administration's industrial policy: while it has taken direct stakes in strategic manufacturers, it appears wary of applying that model to AI, a sector dominated by a handful of extremely powerful firms. His resistance to new AI rules also puts him at odds with industry voices like Anthropic's Dario Amodei, who favor caution as AI capabilities accelerate.
- Pentagon CTO Emil Michael opposes government ownership stakes in AI companies.
- The stance contrasts with recent federal equity moves in Intel and U.S. Steel.
- Michael also downplayed the need for stricter AI regulation despite industry safety warnings.
Source: cnbc.com — Kevin Breuninger, 2026-09-16
Published there as: “Pentagon CTO says U.S. government shouldn't take stakes in tech giants, questions adding AI rules”
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