Top executives from the US technology sector gathered at the White House on Thursday evening for a dinner hosted by President Donald Trump, marking a rare joint appearance by leaders of the country’s most influential companies in artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
“This is quite a group to get together,” said Meta co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who was seated at the president’s right.
The dinner brought together senior figures from Google parent Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft, and OpenAI, among others.
Tesla and SpaceX chief Elon Musk, who confirmed he was invited, did not attend in person but sent a representative on his behalf.
Zuckerberg highlighted major investments being made in US data centers and infrastructure to support future technological advances. Apple CEO Tim Cook thanked the president for “setting the tone” that encouraged companies to expand manufacturing in the United States.
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman praised Trump for being “pro-business” and “pro-innovation,” while Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates – seated next to First Lady Melania Trump – emphasized the importance of ensuring artificial intelligence benefits international development as well as US citizens. Gates cited Operation Warp Speed, the Trump-era initiative that accelerated Covid-19 vaccine development, as an example of the country’s innovation capacity.
Trump has recently signaled potential trade sanctions against countries imposing regulations on US tech firms, particularly targeting measures under discussion in the European Union.
Since returning to office in January, the president has seen a notable shift in Silicon Valley’s engagement with his administration. While many technology leaders had kept their distance during his first term, several have since visited the White House to announce new investments in the US.
With AFP
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