Emerging AI Strategy under Trump Administration: Key Elements to Anticipate
The Trump administration is set to unveil its long-awaited AI Action Plan next week, marking a significant milestone in the U.S. government's engagement with AI policy. The plan outlines the administration's approach to artificial intelligence and is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the future of AI development and regulation in the United States.
The White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy issued a Request for Information (RFI) earlier this year, soliciting public input on the AI Action Plan. Over 10,000 public comments were submitted in response, indicating a high level of public interest in the administration's approach to AI.
The AI Action Plan covers a wide range of AI policy dimensions, from U.S. government AI procurement and use to supply chain resilience, export controls, and domestic and international AI norms. The breadth of the plan could complicate delivering a single strategic vision that balances private sector leadership with national security concerns.
Stakeholders need to understand the scope of the AI Action Plan to fully grasp its significance and any accompanying executive orders once released. A core question for stakeholders is understanding the plan’s scope and strategic direction, as this will shape U.S. AI policy across multiple dimensions with broad implications for government, industry, and international actors.
The AI Action Plan aims to sustain and enhance American AI leadership, incorporating themes like innovation, infrastructure, and international diplomacy/security. It also introduces new compliance challenges for businesses, particularly around content neutrality, algorithmic transparency, and federal procurement standards reflecting free speech and bias concerns.
The release of the AI Action Plan provides an opportunity for stakeholders to assess and engage with the U.S. government’s AI policy. The plan is now open for public scrutiny and discussion, inviting stakeholders to evaluate its potential impact and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on AI policy.
[1] White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. (2019). Request for Information: Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the U.S. Government. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/RFI-AI-for-the-US-Government.pdf
[2] White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. (2019). Fact Sheet: Artificial Intelligence (AI) for American Industry. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/AI-for-American-Industry-Fact-Sheet-Final.pdf
[3] Just Security. (2019). Ahead of Trump Administration AI Plan, Six Key Questions for Stakeholders. Retrieved from https://www.justsecurity.org/68722/ahead-of-trump-administration-ai-plan-six-key-questions-for-stakeholders/
[4] White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. (2019). Fact Sheet: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Ethics. Retrieved from https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/AI-Ethics-Fact-Sheet-Final.pdf
[5] Just Security. (2019). Ahead of Trump Administration AI Plan, Six Key Questions for Stakeholders. Retrieved from https://www.justsecurity.org/68722/ahead-of-trump-administration-ai-plan-six-key-questions-for-stakeholders/
The AI Action Plan, initiated by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, incorporates technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in its broad dimensions, outlining strategies for government AI procurement, supply chain resilience, export controls, and international AI norms. The strategic direction of the plan aims to sustain and enhance American AI leadership, introducing new compliance challenges for businesses in areas like content neutrality, algorithmic transparency, and federal procurement standards.
