U.S. Government to Pursue Aggressive AI Strategy: Trump Unveils Plan, Aiming to Boost AI Adoption and Spur Infrastructure Development, thereby Promoting Competition for Global Leadership in AI Technology
The Trump administration has unveiled a new 20-page document titled **America’s AI Action Plan**, which outlines a comprehensive strategy to secure U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence (AI) and maintain competitiveness against China [1][2][4].
### Core Focus Areas and Policy Goals:
The plan identifies over 90 federal policy actions, grouped into three main pillars:
1. **Accelerating Innovation** - The plan aims to foster next-generation AI breakthroughs by publishing a new National AI Research and Development (R&D) Strategic Plan led by the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) [4]. - It seeks to empower American workers through AI-driven job creation and industry breakthroughs in key sectors such as medicine and manufacturing, targeting higher standards of living and new high-paying jobs [1][4]. - The plan emphasises eliminating ideological bias in federally supported AI tools, ensuring systems pursue "objective truth," especially in shaping information access for Americans [1].
2. **Building American AI Infrastructure** - The plan aims to expand AI-related infrastructure to support innovation and wider adoption, including data management, cybersecurity, and operational efficiencies [2][3]. - It seeks to reduce regulatory friction to facilitate faster AI development and deployment by private industry [2][3][4].
3. **Leading in International AI Diplomacy and Security** - The plan focuses on safeguarding against AI misuse, theft, and emerging risks by coordinating intelligence and defense actions among agencies like the Department of Energy, National Security Council, and Department of Defense [1][4]. - It highlights the importance of strengthening U.S. leadership in international AI diplomacy to influence global AI norms and standards [1][4].
### Role of Executive Branch Agencies:
- The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) leads the development of the National AI R&D Strategic Plan and coordinates interagency efforts [1][4]. - The Department of Defense (DoD) and Intelligence Community (IC) are tasked with adapting AI adoption initiatives for national security, based on AI net assessments [4]. - Collaboration among agencies such as the Department of Energy (DOE), Commerce (DOC), and National Security Council (NSC) is emphasised for intelligence sharing on foreign AI projects with national security implications [4]. - The administration's AI and crypto czar, David Sacks, and OSTP were responsible for developing the action plan, signifying high-level coordination and focus on deregulation to boost private sector involvement [2].
### Context and Strategic Emphasis:
- The plan bases its approach on deregulation and infrastructure investment, differing from the Biden administration's more safety-oriented AI framework. It prioritises empowering American workers and industries while protecting against misuse and promoting objective, unbiased AI development [1][2]. - President Trump's January 2025 Executive Order 14179, “Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence,” directed the creation of this plan within 180 days, underscoring the administration's urgency and commitment to winning the global AI race [1].
In summary, **America’s AI Action Plan** deploys a broad federal strategy focused on innovation, infrastructure, and international leadership, assigning executive agencies specific roles in advancing research, ensuring security, and regulating AI development predominantly through fostering deregulation and private sector innovation [1][2][4].
- AI developers who want to secure government contracts may need to align with the current administration's priorities. - The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is directed to identify, revise, or repeal regulations that unnecessarily hinder AI development or deployment. - The Department of Commerce, through NIST, is directed to revise the NIST AI Risk Management Framework to eliminate references to misinformation, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and climate change. - Energy infrastructure is particularly critical due to the power-hungry nature of AI, as demonstrated by Elon Musk's importing of an entire power plant for his Colossus supercluster.
Technology and artificial intelligence are key emphasizes in America’s AI Action Plan, which deploys a broad federal strategy focused on innovation, infrastructure, and international leadership. The plan encourages AI developers who want to secure government contracts to align with the current administration's priorities, potentially leading to deregulation and a focus on private sector innovation.
