President Trump is navigating the complex landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) regulation with a plan that emphasizes limiting state control and establishing national standards. This approach is driven by a desire to maintain American dominance in AI, accelerate innovation, and prevent a patchwork of state laws from hindering progress.
The Push for National AI Regulations
Trump has been vocal about the need for federal oversight of AI, warning that differing state-level regulations could stifle the technology's growth and development in the United States. He has urged Congress to pass a federal standard governing AI oversight, either as a standalone bill or as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The administration's goal is to create a "minimally burdensome, uniform national policy framework for AI" to sustain and enhance America's global AI dominance. Google's CEO, Sundar Pichai, has also voiced support for national AI regulation to better compete with China.
Limiting State Control
A key element of Trump's AI plan involves limiting the power of states to regulate AI. A draft Executive Order (EO), titled "Eliminating State Law Obstruction of National AI Policy," proposes to achieve this by:
- Threatening lawsuits: The EO would authorize federal agencies to bring legal challenges against state AI regulations deemed "burdensome" by the administration.
- Withholding funds: The EO would allow the federal government to withhold certain federal funds from states that enact or enforce AI laws the administration considers obstructive.
- Preempting state laws: The administration is considering inserting a provision into federal legislation, such as the NDAA, to preempt or block state-based AI regulation.
- Directing agencies to act: Mandates the Secretary of Commerce within 90 days to issue a policy for agencies to condition certain federal broadband funding on whether those states enact or enforce AI laws that the Administration deems “burdensome”.
This pushback against state regulations is based on the belief that a fragmented regulatory landscape could create uncertainty and hinder AI development. The White House released "America's AI Action Plan" in July 2025, advocating for minimizing regulations to achieve AI dominance. This plan led to a request for information on federal AI laws and policies that might "unnecessarily hinder" AI development, excluding state laws from consideration.
The "Genesis Mission" and Other Initiatives
Beyond regulatory efforts, the Trump administration is also focused on promoting AI innovation through initiatives like the "Genesis Mission". This national initiative aims to accelerate scientific discovery by harnessing AI to analyze massive datasets in science, engineering, energy, and healthcare. The Department of Energy (DOE) will lead the Genesis Mission, creating an integrated AI platform using national lab supercomputers and other resources. The administration compares the scale of this project to the Manhattan Project and Apollo program.
Other elements of Trump's AI strategy include:
- Increasing AI research investment
- Unleashing federal AI computing and data resources
- Setting AI technical standards
- Building America's AI workforce
- Engaging with international allies
- Promoting the export of American AI technology
- Accelerating federal permitting of data center infrastructure
- Preventing "woke AI" in the federal government
- Advancing AI education for American youth
Challenges and Criticisms
Trump's AI plan is not without its challenges and criticisms. The EO seeking to limit state control faces potential legal hurdles and political challenges from states. Some argue that preventing states from regulating AI could hinder progress in addressing harms caused by AI systems. There are also concerns about the lack of specific funding details for initiatives like the Genesis Mission.
Moreover, some critics argue that the administration's emphasis on deregulation could prioritize innovation at the expense of ethical considerations and worker protections. A think tank with ties to the White House has announced a $10 million initiative to develop AI policies that support workers, signaling a potential point of tension within the Republican Party between those favoring deregulation and those prioritizing worker protections.
Conclusion
Trump's AI plan represents a multifaceted approach to shaping the future of artificial intelligence in the United States. By seeking to limit state control and establish national regulations, the administration aims to create a unified framework that fosters innovation while maintaining American competitiveness. However, the plan faces legal, political, and ethical challenges that will need to be addressed as it moves forward.
