NIST Drops "Safety" From AI Consortium Name Under Trump Administration
The National Institute of Standards and Technology renamed its AI Safety Consortium to the Artificial Intelligence Consortium on Friday, removing language that defined the group's original mission under the Biden administration.
NIST said the change reflects the consortium's "newly expanded goals" around AI innovation and adoption. The agency is reorganizing the group to align with President Trump's AI action plan.
The shift marks a direct reversal of the Biden-era approach. In 2023, the Biden administration directed NIST to establish the AI Safety Institute Consortium to support development of "safe and trustworthy AI." The consortium launched in 2024 with roughly 200 industry partners.
Biden's 2023 executive order on AI addressed growing concerns: labor market disruption, intellectual property theft, misinformation spread, and national security risks. The Trump administration has taken a different stance. The 2024 Republican platform pledged to "repeal Joe Biden's dangerous executive order that hinders AI innovation" and replace it with an approach "rooted in free speech and human flourishing."
What Changes Under the New Structure
The renamed consortium will organize around six task groups focused on AI measurement science and evaluation. NIST said it will "continue some of its previous work" while expanding its scope.
The agency is now recruiting new members. Organizations interested in joining can submit letters of interest to NIST.
What This Means for Government
For federal employees involved in technology policy, standards-setting, or AI governance, the name change signals a policy reorientation at a key standards body. NIST has shaped U.S. technology standards since 1901-from encryption and cellular standards to internet protocols.
The consortium's shift from safety-focused work to broader innovation and adoption metrics will likely influence how federal agencies evaluate and procure AI systems. Government workers should expect updated guidance on AI measurement and evaluation standards in coming months.
Learn more about AI for Government and how public sector organizations are adapting to new policy directions.
Your membership also unlocks:
