Artificial Intelligence

Katie Zacharia Denies Ties to AI Mining Startup NRED

Following a brief and controversial tenure as White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia’s professional history has faced renewed scrutiny over an unmaterialized advisory role at an AI-powered mining company linked to Kristi Noem.

Radwan AbdulhadiEditor and technology writer

Published: October 17, 2026 · Updated: October 17, 2026 · 3 min read

Katie Zacharia Denies Ties to AI Mining Startup NRED — Image: WIRED

The Mysterious AI Mining Advisory Role

Before being fired just five days into her stint as White House press secretary, Katie Zacharia spent much of her time attempting to clarify her past professional background. WIRED uncovered new details regarding her reported relationship with NRED Intelligent Mining, an AI-powered rare-earth mining operation that counts former Department of Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem as a strategic adviser.

On June 24, NRED—then known as NovaRed Mining, a small copper-and-gold exploration company based in Vancouver, Canada—issued a press release stating that Zacharia was joining the advisory board alongside Kristi Noem. According to the release, Zacharia was slated to provide strategic guidance to the board as it advanced exploration projects and emerging artificial intelligence initiatives.

Denials From Both Sides

Despite the formal announcement, it does not appear that Zacharia ever worked for the company. When asked if she was still on the board, she dismissed the report as fake and referred inquiries to Sam Amsterdam, a strategic marketing and media engagement professional.

According to Amsterdam, the release was not approved by Zacharia and was issued without her consent, though he noted there had been initial discussions about her joining the company. Valentin Saitarli, NRED's chief technology officer who is onboarding as CEO, confirmed that while discussions took place, the role never materialized.

Pivoting to AI and Robotics

The company previously generated no revenue and held limited cash reserves, but shifted its focus significantly during the spring. Rather than stacking its advisory board with traditional geologists and technical consultants, NovaRed brought in figures with ties to the defense sector and political entities.

Earlier this month, NRED announced it was pivoting away from its flagship copper-and-gold project to channel all resources into developing and commercializing MetalCore, its AI-assisted mineral exploration platform. Valentin Saitarli stated an ambitious vision to bring robotics and AI to global mining and beyond.

Controversy and Internal Friction

The involvement of Kristi Noem triggered significant backlash among Canadians, particularly following past remarks referring to Canada as the 51st state. The addition of high-profile political and defense figures also caused friction among existing advisors who lacked traditional mining backgrounds.

Retired U.S. Navy commander Phil Ehr, who joined the company earlier in the year, expressed surprise when NRED announced the appointments of Noem and another DHS spokesperson without prior consultation. Ehr ultimately resigned from the advisory board due to concerns surrounding the controversial associations.

Broader Scrutiny of Zacharia’s Background

Zacharia's brief White House tenure drew immense public interest regarding her résumé, including unverified claims regarding a legal career and past disclosures about her employment history. Reports also highlighted a previous role as an affiliate marketer for Beachbody, a fitness multilevel marketing company.

While addressing inquiries about her association with NRED, Zacharia simultaneously attempted to provide clarity regarding her past involvement with the fitness MLM and its network of influencers.