On Thursday, President Donald Trump enacted an executive order regarding artificial intelligence (AI), aimed at dismantling previous government regulations that his order claims obstruct American innovation in AI technologies.
To uphold the nation’s leadership in the AI sector, the executive order emphasizes the need for AI systems that are devoid of ideological biases and other social influences. It indicates that efforts must be made to ensure the development of superior, unbiased AI technologies.
While the order does not specify which current policies it considers restrictive, it mandates a thorough examination of all initiatives, directives, and regulatory actions resulting from former President Joe Biden’s comprehensive AI executive order issued in 2023. Trump’s directive requires any actions from Biden’s administration to be halted if they do not align with the new principle that AI should encourage human progress, enhance economic competitiveness, and protect national security.
Under Biden’s administration, a policy directive was implemented that required federal agencies to demonstrate that their AI applications did not pose risks to the public, or cease their usage. Trump’s new order instructs the White House to revisit and potentially reissue these guidelines, impacting how federal entities acquire and utilize AI technologies.
The Trump administration has criticized Biden’s 2023 executive order, arguing that it imposed unnecessary constraints on companies innovating and deploying AI technologies, potentially undermining American leadership in the technology sector.
Additionally, Trump’s directive calls for the formulation of a comprehensive AI action plan within a span of 180 days. This initiative will be spearheaded by a select group of technology and science officials from the White House, including a new Special Advisor for AI and Crypto, a position awarded to David Sacks, a venture capitalist and former executive at PayPal.
Trump’s repeal of Biden’s AI regulations occurred shortly after he returned to the White House on Monday, and until Thursday, there was uncertainty about whether Trump would introduce a competing order.
During his previous presidency, Trump had also focused on AI, signing executive orders that prioritized federal investment in research and development in the field. Many of the strategies initiated under Biden’s comprehensive 2023 order sought to analyze AI’s implications across various sectors, addressing everything from cybersecurity risks to its impact on education and labor markets, with the intention of ensuring that AI technologies were safe for public use. Most of this work has been completed.
One significant requirement that was in place prior to Trump’s repeal mandated tech firms creating advanced AI models to provide the government with insights about their systems before these technologies were rolled out to the public.
Trump’s focus on promoting “human flourishing” resonates with the core message of his campaign, which included pledges to overturn Biden’s AI policy upon his return to office. This aligns with views expressed by Trump advisor Elon Musk, who has raised concerns over what he labels “woke AI,” asserting that it embodies liberal biases.
Americans for Responsible Innovation, a nonprofit entity, acknowledged Trump’s commitment to ensuring that America stays ahead in AI development since taking office.
According to Eric Gastfriend, the organization’s executive director, the executive order issued today serves as an interim measure while the administration crafts a comprehensive plan to realize its aspirations in the AI field.
In light of Trump’s decision to rescind Biden’s AI executive order, federal agencies had already paused work on policies initiated during the previous administration, confirming that such actions were anticipated.
