President Donald Trump signed an executive order to develop a plan within 180 days aimed at ensuring the U.S. remains dominant in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). Titled “Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence,” the directive seeks to eliminate regulatory obstacles while ensuring that AI systems are free from ideological bias and engineered social agendas. The order assigns key roles to senior officials, including the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), White House advisors, and a new Special Advisor for AI and cryptocurrency, David Sacks. These officials are tasked with creating a strategic framework to advance AI while coordinating efforts across national security, technology, and economic sectors.
One of the key aspects of the executive order is its criticism of the Biden administration’s 2023 AI executive order, which Trump’s team deems overly restrictive and harmful to private-sector innovation.
Trump’s order directs federal agencies to review existing policies and amend or repeal those that conflict with the new direction. A major focus is on AI-related policies involving equity and additional oversight of AI systems that may impact civil rights or safety, suggesting a rollback of protections that were put in place during the previous administration. The Trump administration’s shift reflects a move away from bipartisan initiatives aimed at ensuring civil rights protections in the use of AI within the federal government.
The new executive order has sparked criticism from some quarters, with experts like Nik Marda, a former Office of Science and Technology Policy official, warning that the rollback could exacerbate the risks of bias and discrimination in AI systems. Marda pointed out that the change represents a step backward from Trump’s earlier 2020 AI executive order, which had emphasized the importance of civil liberties in AI governance. Eric Gastfriend, executive director of Americans for Responsible Innovation, also called the order a placeholder, suggesting that the administration is still formulating a more comprehensive AI policy. Meanwhile, Alondra Nelson, former acting director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, expressed concerns that the new order would force agencies to review policies that were already benefiting people.
As the executive order sets the stage for a comprehensive review of AI-related policies, the next 60 days will be critical in determining which aspects of Americans’ rights and safety the Trump administration prioritizes in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The decision to remove some of the previous safeguards represents a significant shift in the approach to AI governance, with an emphasis on innovation and deregulation. The implications of this shift will be far-reaching, influencing the future of AI development in the U.S. and its potential impact on civil rights, safety, and equality.
