WSJ Tech News Briefing: What Trump Means for Tech - D.C. Takes on AI and Cybersecurity

Release Date: January 31, 2025
Host: Bel Lin
Reporter: Dustin Voltz

Introduction

On January 31, 2025, The Wall Street Journal's Tech News Briefing delved into the potential impacts of President Donald Trump's second term on the technology sector, with a particular focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. Host Bel Lin guided listeners through the evolving landscape shaped by new technological threats and policy responses from the Trump administration.

AI-Enabled Cyber Attacks

Timestamp: [00:18 - 02:51]

Bel Lin opened the episode by highlighting the escalating cybersecurity threats faced by businesses, consumers, and government entities. She referenced recent WSJ reports indicating that hackers affiliated with China, Iran, and other foreign nations are leveraging advanced AI technologies to enhance their cyber attacks against the U.S. and global targets.

Notable Quote:

"Cybersecurity threats are ever increasing for businesses, consumers and the government." — Bel Lin [00:18]

Reporter Dustin Voltz elaborated on the specifics, mentioning that numerous hacking groups are utilizing generative AI platforms, particularly Google's Gemini chatbot, to amplify their malicious activities. He stated:

"Hackers are [using Gemini] to... bolster their cyber attacks." — Bel Lin & Dustin Voltz [01:26 - 01:44]

Key Points:

• Generative AI Usage: Hacking groups are employing AI to perform tasks such as researching target organizations for phishing attacks, making their operations more efficient.
• Google's Response: Google has acknowledged the misuse of its Gemini chatbot by malicious actors and has taken steps to suspend accounts linked to these groups.
• Current Threat Level: While the use of AI by hackers is a significant concern, Voltz reassures that it hasn't yet escalated to catastrophic levels.

Deepseek AI Model and National Security Implications

Timestamp: [02:51 - 04:44]

Bel Lin introduced the emergence of Deepseek, a Chinese AI company claiming to offer AI models comparable to top-tier U.S. counterparts at a fraction of the cost. This development raises substantial national security concerns.

Notable Quote:

"Deepseek... could be used to either promote propaganda or respond to questions for information and data in a way that is advantageous to the Chinese Communist Party." — Dustin Voltz [03:09 - 04:44]

Key Points:

• U.S. Government Response: U.S. agencies have advised employees against using Deepseek due to potential intelligence risks.
• Technological Race: The rise of Deepseek suggests that the U.S. may not be as dominant in the AI arms race as previously thought, although there is debate over Deepseek's true capabilities and cost-effectiveness.
• Propaganda Concerns: Similar to TikTok, Deepseek may be utilized to disseminate propaganda or manipulate information in favor of the Chinese government.
• Censorship Issues: Users have reported that Deepseek avoids answering sensitive historical questions, such as those about the Tiananmen Square incident, unlike U.S.-based chatbots like ChatGPT or Google's Gemini.

Trump Administration's Approach to Cybersecurity

Timestamp: [05:00 - 12:01]

After a brief advertisement break, Bel Lin and Dustin Voltz discussed the transition from the Biden administration to the Trump administration, focusing on cybersecurity policies.

Notable Quotes:

"Senior Biden administration officials... stressed that cybersecurity has been a largely bipartisan issue." — Bel Lin [05:25 - 05:41]

"The Trump administration is setting itself up to be very, very hawkish on China." — Dustin Voltz [06:15 - 06:25]

Key Points:

• Biden's Cyber Executive Order: The outgoing Biden administration issued a comprehensive executive order aimed at enhancing cybersecurity measures, including sanctioning ransomware groups and mandating security audits for federal software suppliers.
• Republican Stance: The Trump administration is expected to adopt a more aggressive stance toward China, with officials like FCC Chairman Mike Waltz emphasizing the severe cybersecurity threats posed by the nation.
• Offensive Cyber Strategies: Reflecting on Trump's first term, where the administration empowered US Cyber Command to conduct offensive cyber operations with fewer bureaucratic constraints, the second term is anticipated to continue and potentially expand such strategies.
• Espionage and Counterintelligence: CIA Director John Ratcliffe has expressed intentions to undertake more assertive espionage activities against China.

Significant Cyber Threats and Ongoing Incidents

Timestamp: [07:39 - 10:00]

Bel Lin and Voltz addressed specific cyber threats, notably the Salt Typhoon telecom attack, which has had lingering effects into the Trump administration.

Notable Quote:

"The Salt Typhoon intrusions... ensnared the phone calls of President Trump and Vice President Vance." — Dustin Voltz [07:39 - 08:02]

Key Points:

• Salt Typhoon Attack: Originating during the Biden administration, this significant hack compromised telecom networks and intercepted communications of high-level officials.
• US Response: The Biden administration sanctioned the Chinese technology firm implicated in the attacks. The Trump administration is expected to pursue more aggressive retaliatory measures.
• Historical Context: President Trump's initial term saw the unshackling of US Cyber Command for offensive operations, a policy likely to persist.

Federal Workforce Changes and Cybersecurity Implications

Timestamp: [10:00 - 12:01]

In the final segment, discussions turned to the Trump administration's restructuring of the federal workforce and its potential impact on national cybersecurity.

Notable Quote:

"Are we going to see a brain drain, or are there going to be different people brought on board who are going to take those jobs and run with them?" — Bel Lin [10:15 - 12:01]

Key Points:

• Workforce Shakeup: On January 20, the Trump administration disbanded several DHS advisory committees, including the Cyber Safety Review Board, halting ongoing investigations like those into the Salt Typhoon hacks.
• Reduction of Federal Roles: Efforts are underway to decrease federal agency headcount and replace existing personnel with individuals aligned with Trump’s agenda.
• Potential Consequences: There is significant uncertainty regarding how these workforce changes will affect national cybersecurity, including possible brain drain, loss of expertise, and disruptions in ongoing security initiatives.

Conclusion

Bel Lin concluded the briefing by emphasizing the critical juncture at which the U.S. technology and cybersecurity landscape stands as the Trump administration takes a more assertive stance against foreign cyber threats, particularly from China. The episode underscored the delicate balance between offensive cyber strategies and maintaining robust national cybersecurity defenses amidst significant policy and workforce changes.

Produced By: Julie Chang
Theme Music: Jessica Fenton and Michael Lavelle
Supervising Producer: Kathryn Millsap
Development Producer: Aisha El Mosleem
Deputy Editors: Scott Salloway and Chris Sinsley
Head of News Audio: Falana Patterson

For more insights and updates, stay tuned to Tech News Briefing by The Wall Street Journal.