On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump repealed a 2023 executive order introduced by former President Joe Biden.
The order aimed to mitigate the potential risks of artificial intelligence to consumers, workers, and national security. Biden’s directive tasked the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the Commerce Department with creating guidelines to help companies identify and address flaws in AI models, such as biases.
Additionally, it required AI developers to share safety test results with the U.S. government before releasing their systems to the public.
Critics of the order, many aligned with Trump, argued that these measures imposed excessive burdens on businesses. They claimed the safety reporting requirements would force companies to reveal sensitive trade secrets, potentially compromising their competitive edge.
These objections were central to Trump’s campaign, during which he criticized the order and promised policies to promote AI development aligned with free speech and human progress. However, he provided few specifics on his plans for AI regulation during his campaign.
The decision to revoke Biden’s executive order has sparked a mixed response. Supporters of the move believe it removes unnecessary obstacles for companies and paves the way for more rapid AI innovation.
They argue that overregulation could stifle creativity and give competing nations, such as China, an advantage in the global AI race.
On the other hand, critics worry that this step undermines efforts to address significant risks posed by AI systems, including ethical concerns and potential societal harm.
Trump’s stance reflects a broader debate over how governments should balance the benefits of AI innovation with the need for oversight.
