Pool Reports of July 21, 2023

WH in-town pool report #1/ Brunch lid until 1pm

Hi everyone,

The White House has called a brunch lid until 1pm.

The press office also sent out the following:

'President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have shared a message of support for Team USA on the North Lawn of the White House ahead of their first match in the 2023 Women's World Cup.'

WH in-town pool report 2/ Pool gathers

Pool has gathered in the Roosevelt Room for POTUS's remarks on artificial intelligence. Two minute warning.

WH in-town pool report #3/ Remarks under way

After a reporter jokingly asked tech executives whether they were real or AI, POTUS entered the room and quipped: "I'm the AI."

His remarks are under way and streaming on the White House website.

WH in-town pool report #4/ No responses to reporters' questions

POTUS spoke about AI for around five minutes and then left the room without responding to a question from the pool. Some colour to follow.

WH in-town pool report #5/ Tech leaders at POTUS remarks

From the White House:

'In attendance for the President's remarks on Artificial Intelligence:

Brad Smith, President of Microsoft
Kent Walker, President of Google
Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic
Mustafa Suleyman, CEO of Inflection AI
Nick Clegg, President of Meta
Greg Brockman, President of OpenAI
Adam Selipsky, CEO of Amazon Web Services'

WH in-town pool report #6/ Colour and quotations from POTUS remarks

After a reporter jokingly asked leaders of seven tech companies whether they were real or AI, POTUS entered the Roosevelt Room at 1.20pm and quipped: "I'm the AI," prompting laughter. He then made a joke that was not totally clear at the time or on playback. To me it sounds like: "Say any mistake I make, blame it on the AI." (You can check here at 4 mins 30 secs: https://www.whitehouse.gov/live)

Wearing a blue suit, white shirt and blue tie, POTUS then stood behind the presidential lectern and spoke about AI for five and a half minutes. The remarks included: "Artificial intelligence promises an enormous, enormous promise of both risk to our society and our economy and our national security but also incredible opportunities."

He said the seven companies present have agreed to voluntary commitments for responsible innovation. "Realising the promise of AI by managing the risk is going to require some new laws, regulations and oversight. In the weeks ahead I'm going to continue to take executive action to help America lead the way towards responsible innovation. And we're going to work with both parties to develop appropriate legislation and regulation."

When POTUS finished, Kelly O'Donnell of NBC News asked him about the hacking of cabinet officials by China but he continued walking towards the door and exited without responding. The seven tech company leaders – all men, all wearing suits and ties – followed him out of the room.

WH in-town pool report #7/ Lid

A lid was called at 2.15pm.

WH in-town pool report #8/ Week ahead

The White House sent the following:

'Week Ahead 7/21

On Thursday, the President will welcome Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy to the White House to reaffirm the strong relationship between the United States and Italy. They will discuss our common strategic interests, including our shared commitment to continue supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia's aggression, developments in North Africa, and closer transatlantic coordination regarding the People's Republic of China. They will also discuss Italy's upcoming presidency of the G7 in 2024.

In the evening the President will deliver remarks at the Truman Civil Rights Symposium at the National Archives.

On Friday, the President will travel to Maine.

In the evening, the President will depart Maine en route to Rehoboth Beach, Delaware where he will remain over the weekend.'

Goodnight all.