Importance Score: 75 / 100 🔴
White House Reviews Over 10,000 Public Comments on National AI Policy
The White House has received over 10,000 responses from individuals, industry groups, and local governing bodies regarding its developing national AI policy, also known as the AI Action Plan. The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) made these submissions public on Thursday in an 18,480-page PDF document.
The input addresses a broad spectrum of subjects, from copyright concerns to the ecological impact of AI data centers, occurring as President Donald Trump and affiliated parties recalibrate the U.S. government’s artificial intelligence priorities.
Trump Administration’s AI Policy Shift
In January, President Trump rescinded former President Joe Biden’s AI Executive Order. This order had directed the National Institute of Standards and Technology to formulate guidance assisting businesses in identifying and mitigating deficiencies in AI models, including biases. Trump’s supporters asserted that the order’s reporting mandates were unduly burdensome, effectively mandating the disclosure of proprietary information.
Shortly after, Trump issued an order tasking federal agencies with fostering AI development “free from ideological bias” while promoting “human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security.” Notably, Trump’s directive omitted any reference to addressing AI discrimination, a central component of Biden’s initiative.
Concerns Expressed in Public Submissions
The comments submitted to the White House highlighted the significant stakes involved in the progression of artificial intelligence.
Copyright and Creative Rights
Many commenters alleged that AI, in its current form, is exploitative, being trained on the intellectual property of creators without providing appropriate compensation, and they urged the Trump administration to reinforce copyright protections. Conversely, entities like the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz accused copyright holders of impeding AI advancement.
Several AI companies, among them Google and OpenAI, have also advocated for more permissive regulations governing AI training in prior feedback concerning the AI Action Plan.
Investment in Research and Development
Advocacy from organizations such as Americans for Prosperity, The Future of Life Institute, and the American Academy of Nursing stressed the critical need for investments in research, particularly at a period when the federal government is curtailing scientific grants. Experts on artificial intelligence have voiced disapproval of the Trump administration’s recent cuts to funding for scientific grants, specifically those reductions supported by Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Impact of Tariffs on AI Development
Certain commenters on the AI Action Plan criticized the Trump administration’s extensive tariffs on international goods, suggesting they might impede the country’s AI initiatives. The Data Center Coalition, a trade association representing the data center industry, cautioned that tariffs on infrastructure components “will limit and slow” U.S. AI investments. Similarly, the Information Technology Industry Council, an advocacy group whose members include Amazon, Intel, and Microsoft, called for “smart” tariffs that “protect domestic industries without escalating trade wars that harm consumers.”
AI Censorship Debate
A limited number of comments alluded to “AI censorship,” a subject of considerable interest to several of Trump’s close advisors. Elon Musk and crypto and AI figure David Sacks have claimed that prevalent chatbots censor conservative perspectives, with Sacks specifically citing ChatGPT as providing inaccurate information about politically charged subjects.
The Complexities of AI Bias
Indeed, bias in AI remains a persistent technical challenge. Even Musk’s AI venture, xAI, has encountered difficulties in developing a chatbot that refrains from favoring certain political viewpoints over others.
Trump’s AI Policy Team
President Trump has intensified efforts to form an AI policy team in recent months.
- In March, the Senate confirmed Michael Kratsios, Trump’s nominee for director of the OSTP. During Trump’s first term, Kratsios concentrated on AI policy within the OSTP.
- Late last year, Trump appointed former VC Sriram Krishnan as the White House’s senior policy advisor for AI.