The Second Trump administration’s approach to artificial intelligence (AI) would likely take a markedly different direction compared to current policies.
In his first term, Trump's focus on AI centered around enhancing national security, economic competitiveness, and reducing regulatory oversight. This foundation would likely serve as the springboard for even more ambitious AI initiatives in his second term.
During his initial four years in office, Trump prioritized AI's role in bolstering America's strategic and economic position on the global stage. He launched the "American AI Initiative," which aimed to dramatically increase federal funding for AI research, expand government access to AI resources, and forge international partnerships to shape AI standards. Additionally, the Trump administration established the first national AI research institutes and issued "AI Regulatory Guidance" to establish parameters for how federal agencies could utilize AI technologies. These efforts laid the groundwork for a market-driven, innovation-centric approach to AI development, seeking to balance technological advancement with national security imperatives.
In a second term, Trump would likely seek to dismantle recent AI-related policies introduced by the Biden administration that emphasized ethical AI usage, fairness, and inclusivity. Instead, a renewed Trump White House would likely focus on further reducing barriers to private sector AI development and limiting government oversight and control over technology companies, particularly when it comes to content moderation on social media platforms. Given the administration's historically critical stance on perceived tech censorship, AI policies under Trump II might prioritize promoting unfettered free speech on digital platforms, while simultaneously securing AI capabilities for defense and national security applications.
On the international front, Trump's AI policies would likely center around reducing American dependence on China for critical AI and technology supply chains. This could manifest in new restrictions on partnerships and technology transfers with Chinese AI firms, paired with concerted efforts to bolster domestic AI manufacturing and R&D. Such an approach would align with the administration's broader trade policies aimed at phasing out Chinese imports and limiting foreign investment in strategic technology domains.
A second Trump term could usher in a decidedly more nationalist, market-driven approach to AI policy. While continuing to prioritize technological competitiveness and national security, the administration would likely seek to dismantle recent guardrails on AI development, curtail government intervention in technology and media platforms, and reduce economic interdependence with geopolitical rivals like China. This vision for AI's future would represent a stark departure from the balanced, ethically-conscious frameworks championed by the current administration.