Approximately 500 employees at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), including three lab directors, are facing layoffs as part of the ongoing Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative, sources report. These sweeping cuts were initiated by the Trump administration to reduce federal spending and are expected to occur soon.
NIST, a key nonregulatory agency responsible for ensuring safety and reliability in various sectors, has been on high alert since President Trump took office last month. Reports emerged that DOGE staff were seen trying to access NIST’s IT systems, raising concerns among employees. After this alleged visit, NIST leadership communicated that while DOGE officials were not currently on site, provisions for their office space and technology were underway.
Several media outlets reported that employees at NIST were being informed of potential layoffs, targeting those in probationary status, which includes many recent hires. Current expectations suggest that the official layoff notices may be issued imminently, impacting prominent technical experts who were recently promoted.
The US AI Safety Institute (AISI), established following a previous executive order on AI, is among the teams most worried about the cuts. The institute has primarily collaborated with various AI companies to assess and understand advanced AI models. After the recent shift in administration, the order supporting AI safety was rescinded, leading to a significant revaluation of priorities within the agency.
AISI’s former director recently departed, along with other key figures in AI at NIST. This trend raises questions about the organization’s strategy moving forward, especially as new administration officials voice a lack of focus on AI safety, posing risks for projects that seek to mitigate misinformation and bias in AI systems.
Despite bipartisan support for the work done at NIST, concerns about the impact of these layoffs on national productivity are growing. Lawmakers from both sides are calling for transparency about DOGE’s activities, worried about potential adverse effects on the economy and public safety standards.
NIST, established in 1901 to set scientific norms, employs approximately 3,400 professionals across various research areas, including precision measurement. Amid the Trump administration’s reshaping of priorities, stakeholders are urging caution to prevent undermining the crucial role NIST plays in ensuring public and economic safety.
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