The Trump administration's AI Action Plan, titled "Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan," aims to accelerate artificial intelligence development in the US by removing regulatory barriers and promoting innovation. The plan, which includes over 90 policy initiatives, focuses on accelerating AI innovation, building American AI infrastructure, and leading international AI diplomacy and security.
At its core, the plan seeks to streamline federal regulations to facilitate AI research and development. This includes revising the NIST AI Risk Management Framework to eliminate references to misinformation, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), and climate change. The administration also plans to fast-track data center permitting, expand AI exports, and make federal lands available for data center construction, while promoting the use of American products in building infrastructure.
One of the most significant aspects of the plan is its emphasis on collaboration with "like-minded nations" to develop AI models with shared values, while countering Chinese influence and imposing strict export controls on AI components. However, critics argue that the plan's deregulatory approach could lead to environmental concerns, a lack of ethical oversight, and ideological bias in AI systems.
The plan also punishes states that act alone by potentially ending funding to those with "burdensome AI regulations" that hinder innovation. Additionally, it prioritizes free speech in AI, requiring AI models to be trained to focus on "truth" rather than "social engineering agendas." The plan also prohibits partisan bias, stating that the federal government will not procure AI systems with "partisan bias or ideological agendas."
While the plan's goals are ambitious, its implementation could have far-reaching consequences. By rolling back environmental regulations, the administration may harm ecosystems and public health. Moreover, removing references to DEI and climate change could result in AI systems that lack accountability and transparency. As the US continues to develop and deploy AI systems, it remains to be seen whether this plan will lead to innovation and progress or unintended consequences.
