The election of Donald Trump raises questions about the future of AI policy in the USA.
- During his initial term, Trump was active in issuing executive orders to promote American AI leadership.
- His administration is expected to repeal Biden’s AI policies and shift to sector-specific approaches.
- There is potential for heightened federal pre-emption of AI regulations amidst state-level activities.
- A significant focus may be placed on the USA’s competitive stance against China’s AI developments.
During Donald Trump’s previous term as President, his administration actively engaged in shaping AI policy through executive orders. Notably, in 2019, Trump issued an order aimed at maintaining American leadership in artificial intelligence. This was followed by a 2020 order promoting trustworthy AI usage within the federal government. These actions highlight a pro-American technological agenda that could continue into his next term.
With strong support from the US tech sector, Trump’s campaign platform suggests a roll-back of several AI policies implemented by Joe Biden, which he perceives as restrictive to innovation. Trump is anticipated to swiftly dismantle these measures, returning to a more specific, use-case focused approach for AI development.
The likely response from Democrat-led states would be to introduce new AI regulations in reaction to Trump’s presidency. A failed bill in California is cited as an example of this trend. However, under Trump, there could be a push for federal pre-emption to streamline AI regulation nationally, potentially aligning more with the UK’s pro-innovation stance.
One of the administration’s major strategies may focus on strengthening the United States’ position in the global AI arena, especially against China. This could involve increased export controls on China’s AI sector, along with substantial domestic investments in AI research and development. Such steps might extend to integrating AI into national defence and leveraging domestic energy resources to support the growing demands of IT infrastructures.
Despite Biden’s administration not appointing a government Chief Technology Officer, the incoming Trump administration might change this by prioritising efficient technological administrations and possibly by reducing bureaucratic hurdles through AI-enabled solutions. This reflects an interest in improving public sector productivity.
The Trump administration is poised to significantly alter the trajectory of American AI policy, emphasising competitiveness and innovation.
