in-depth: Katie Zacharia Was Linked to an AI Rare-Earths Startup
Katie Zacharia, former White House press secretary, denies an advisory role at AI-powered NRED Intelligent Mining, despite a press release announcing her appointment. This adds to her controversial past, as the company pivoted dramatically and its board notably lacks mining expertise.
Katie Zacharia, the former White House press secretary whose brief tenure was marked by professional controversies, is now embroiled in a bizarre narrative involving an AI-powered rare-earth mining startup. Despite a June press release announcing her appointment to the advisory board of NRED Intelligent Mining, Zacharia vehemently denies ever holding the role, labeling the announcement "fake" and unauthorized. This unusual development adds another layer of intrigue to Zacharia's background, unfolding as the Canadian company rapidly pivoted from a struggling copper-and-gold explorer to an ambitious robotics and AI venture, attracting high-profile figures with little mining experience.
Zacharia's Disputed Role
WIRED's investigation uncovered Zacharia's alleged connection to NRED Intelligent Mining, a firm also advised by former Department of Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem. A June 24 press release, under the company's former name NovaRed Mining, stated Zacharia would provide "strategic guidance" on exploration and "emerging artificial intelligence initiatives."
However, Zacharia refuted the claim directly. When asked if she remained on the board, she declared, "That was fake," directing WIRED to her "strategic marketing and media engagement professional," Sam Amsterdam. Amsterdam affirmed the release was unapproved and without Zacharia's consent, clarifying that while discussions occurred, she "hadn't actually done so."
Valentin Saitarli, NRED's chief technology officer and incoming CEO, confirmed discussions but stated the role "never materialized," likening it to joining a gym without working out. Despite denials, the press release persisted on NRED’s website as of last Friday, and archived versions from July showed Zacharia listed as management.
NRED's Radical Transformation
NRED Intelligent Mining's evolution is strikingly unconventional. Formerly NovaRed Mining, a Vancouver-based copper-and-gold exploration company, it was noted earlier this year by The Globe and Mail for generating "no revenue" and lacking sufficient cash for projected annual expenses.
By spring, a dramatic shift began. Its advisory board started to feature figures with ties to defense, conservative politics, and international entities, rather than geologists. This month, NRED announced a complete pivot, abandoning its traditional mining project for "MetalCore," an "AI-assisted mineral exploration platform." Saitarli envisions "full robots and AI" for global and extraterrestrial mining.
A Board Lacking Industry Depth
The board appointments raised eyebrows, particularly Kristi Noem's joining eight days before Zacharia's alleged role. Noem's controversial "51st state" comments sparked an outcry in Canada. Phil Ehr, a retired US Navy commander and Florida congressional candidate, joined NovaRed admitting, "I know nothing about mining." He felt "blindsided" by Noem and Zacharia's appointments, without prior consultation. Citing Noem's controversial nature and the board's lack of mining experts—including a former adviser to the UAE Royal Family and a media executive—Ehr resigned shortly thereafter.
Broader Context of Zacharia's Past
This rare-earths episode fits a pattern of disputes surrounding Katie Zacharia's professional history. Her brief stint as White House press secretary followed admissions she never passed the California bar, despite claiming to be an attorney. WIRED also reported her past role as an affiliate marketer for Beachbody, a multilevel marketing company she reportedly described as a "pyramid scheme."
Just last week, while still press secretary, Zacharia contacted WIRED to connect with fitness influencer Jenelle Summers for "clarity" on Beachbody. Summers, who introduced Zacharia, recalled her as "kind" and "into fitness" but stated she "didn't do much with it," rejecting the "pyramid scheme" label as "old-school thinking." This consistent scrutiny of Zacharia's resume highlights a public persona often subject to conflicting accounts.
FAQ
Q: Did Katie Zacharia actually serve on NRED Intelligent Mining's advisory board? A: According to Zacharia and her representative, Sam Amsterdam, she did not. Zacharia called the press release announcing her role "fake," and Amsterdam confirmed that discussions occurred but the role "never materialized." NRED's CTO, Valentin Saitarli, also stated the role never materialized. However, the announcement remained on NRED's website, and archived versions listed her as management.
Q: What makes NRED Intelligent Mining's advisory board unusual? A: NRED, which pivoted from a struggling traditional mining company to an AI-focused venture, appointed high-profile figures like Kristi Noem and Phil Ehr to its advisory board. These individuals openly admitted to lacking mining industry expertise, a significant departure from typical junior mining company boards that would feature geologists or technical consultants.
Q: How does this incident align with other controversies in Katie Zacharia's career? A: This situation adds to a series of disputed claims and clarifications regarding Zacharia's professional background. It follows revelations that she never passed the California bar despite claiming to be an attorney, and her previous affiliation with Beachbody, an MLM she reportedly described as a "pyramid scheme." This pattern suggests a recurring theme of her professional associations being subject to conflicting narratives.
Related articles
Apple Unveils iPhone Duo: Pricey Foldable Sees Soaring Demand
Apple has officially entered the foldable smartphone arena with the long-anticipated launch of the iPhone Duo. Priced starting at a hefty $1,999, the device features a 5.4-inch outer display and a larger 7.6-inch inner
We can finally hear some of Wu-Tang Clan’s Once Upon A Time in
For the first time, fans can now hear snippets of the legendary, one-of-one Wu-Tang Clan album, "Once Upon A Time in Shaolin," thanks to a collaboration between the crypto art collective PleasrDAO and the "Pablo Torre
regional: Etzioni on AI: The colorful and cranky language of the AI
AI researchers Oren Etzioni and Daniel S. Weld have released a new GeekWire glossary of over 35 non-technical AI terms, revealing a "cranky" vocabulary heavily focused on AI's problems and potential harms. They define terms like "AI slop," "deepfakes," and "brain rot," alongside their own coinages such as "AI slap," "promptatory," and "agentsomnia," noting a distinct lack of common phrases for AI's positive impacts.
Porsche’s electric Macan Turbo is an automotive existential crisis
Porsche's 2026 electric Macan Turbo challenges traditional sports car definitions, blending exhilarating 630-hp performance with an anonymous crossover design. Tested on various roads, it raises questions about automotive identity in the EV era, proving that immense power can come in an understated package.
in-depth: Chicago-Area Cops Helped HSI Spy on Minnesota Anti-ICE
Chicago-area law enforcement, including local police and HSI agents, conducted undercover surveillance on Minnesota anti-ICE activists at an April 2, 2022, talk in Chicago. This operation was part of a federal conspiracy probe into 15 Minnesota activists facing felony charges related to immigration enforcement resistance. Civil liberties advocates have condemned the surveillance as a troubling intrusion into protected political activity.
RapidCanvas Secures $29M Series B to Scale Enterprise AI Solutions
Austin, Texas – RapidCanvas, a burgeoning startup specializing in building and running custom AI applications for enterprises, has announced a successful close of its Series B funding round, raising $29 million. Led by