🚨Trump’s AI Agenda

AI under Trump—What the tech industry can expect in the next four years

Key Points 

• Trump plans to undo Biden's AI executive order, promising minimal regulation and protection of free speech.

• During his previous term, Trump’s AI policies supported research but avoided detailed regulations on AI use.

• Experts foresee limited AI regulation, but Trump’s proposed tariffs could hinder funding for AI research and development.

• Trump’s allies argue that Biden’s AI policies discourage innovation and could harm breakthroughs like ChatGPT.

📜Context of the news - After a turbulent election cycle, Donald Trump has clinched the presidency, becoming the 47th president of the United States. With Republicans in control of the Senate—and potentially the House—Trump’s administration is set to bring significant shifts to federal policy. These shifts are likely to resonate deeply within the AI sector, where many have voiced concerns about government involvement in AI development. 

Throughout his campaign, Trump and his allies have been vocal critics of heavy federal oversight in AI, positioning themselves against extensive regulations. As Trump prepares to take office, tech and AI industries are bracing for what this change in leadership will mean for the future of artificial intelligence in the U.S.

♨️News - Trump has made his AI policy stance clear, often pledging to dismantle key parts of Biden’s AI framework “on day one.” At a December rally in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Trump declared his intention to revoke Biden’s AI executive order immediately upon re-entering the White House. He specifically pledged to ban AI for “censoring the speech of American citizens,” aligning himself with critics who advocate for minimal intervention in AI development. 

While details of Trump’s specific policy plans remain sparse, his rhetoric suggests he’ll champion a hands-off approach to AI regulation, contrasting Biden’s emphasis on oversight.

🧐So what can we expect? While Trump’s AI policies from his previous term laid the groundwork for AI research and development, they largely avoided imposing regulatory limits on the technology. His past executive orders focused on establishing AI research centers, promoting AI-driven economic growth, and ensuring the protection of privacy and civil liberties. Yet, during his campaign, Trump’s proposals were somewhat vague, underscoring values like “free speech” and “human flourishing” without delving into specifics on how AI development should be monitored. 

Some Republicans are concerned about AI’s potential physical safety risks, such as its capacity to facilitate bioweapon production—a risk also recognized under Biden. However, Republicans have generally avoided endorsing restrictive policies, potentially putting Biden’s more comprehensive guidelines at risk. 

The future of the American Institute for Standards in AI (AISI), housed within NIST, could also be uncertain. Despite its strong foundation and partnerships, AISI might face dissolution if Biden’s executive order is repealed, creating gaps in AI oversight.

🥸What do insiders think? Experts predict Trump’s administration will focus less on stringent AI regulation over the next four years. Sarah Kreps, a U.S. defense policy expert, doesn’t anticipate sweeping regulatory changes on AI. “I don’t know that Trump’s views on AI regulation will rise to the level of antipathy that causes him to repeal the Biden AI EO,” Kreps noted, pointing to the administration’s broader skepticism toward federal oversight. 

However, other policy changes could impact the AI industry indirectly. Trump has proposed hefty tariffs, including a 10% blanket tariff on U.S. imports and a 60% tariff on products from China. Matt Mittelsteadt, a research fellow at George Mason University, highlights the potential economic repercussions of such tariffs, especially for the AI sector. “Expect any potential tariffs to have a massive economic impact on the AI sector,” Mittelsteadt remarked, suggesting the high costs of tech imports could stymie AI R&D. 

Some Republicans, including Trump-aligned critics, also argue that Biden’s reporting requirements stifle innovation. Representative Nancy Mace (R-SC) remarked in a House hearing that these requirements could “scare away would-be innovators” by forcing companies to disclose proprietary information, risking delays in AI advancements.