Trump Issues Order Advocating for Ideologically Neutral AI Development

Trump signed an executive order on AI that aims to eliminate what he describes as “barriers to American AI innovation.”

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on artificial intelligence (AI) that aims to eliminate what he describes as “barriers to American AI innovation.” The order emphasizes developing AI systems “free from ideological bias or social agendas.”

The directive rescinds policies established under former President Joe Biden’s 2023 AI executive order, which mandated safeguards to prevent AI tools from harming the public. Trump’s order instructs agencies to review and potentially suspend any Biden-era policies that conflict with his goals of promoting “human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security.”

A key provision is the creation of an AI action plan within 180 days, led by White House officials, including a new Special Advisor for AI and Crypto, David Sacks. The Trump administration criticized Biden’s policies for imposing “burdensome requirements” on AI development, claiming they hindered private sector innovation and U.S. technological leadership.

The order repeals Biden’s guardrails aimed at preventing discrimination and misuse of AI, such as requirements for companies to disclose the inner workings of powerful AI models. Critics argue Trump’s directive could undermine protections designed to safeguard public safety and fairness in AI applications.

Alondra Nelson, a former Biden science advisor, called the order “backward-looking” and expressed concerns over its impact on public rights and safety. However, Trump’s administration views the move as a step toward ensuring the U.S. outpaces global competitors in AI innovation.

Advocacy group Americans for Responsible Innovation noted that the order serves as a placeholder until a more comprehensive AI strategy is developed.