Trump unveils AI strategy: Big Tech granted leeway in AI development
President Donald Trump has unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at bolstering America's global leadership in artificial intelligence (AI). Dubbed the "AI Action Plan," the strategy, revealed in July 2025, outlines over 90 recommended federal policy actions to shape U.S. AI policy in the coming months.[1][4][5]
The plan is structured around three core pillars: accelerating AI innovation, building American AI infrastructure, and advancing U.S. leadership in international AI policy and security.[1][3][4] While not legally binding, the document promises a massive expansion of infrastructure for America's AI sector and a significant reduction in regulations.[1][2][3]
The strategy emphasises expanding domestic AI infrastructure, including data centers and the energy grid, to support increased AI development and deployment.[1][2][3] To accelerate the construction of data centers and supporting power infrastructure, the plan calls for streamlining permitting policies.[2] Public-private collaboration is also encouraged, with private sector leaders invited to partner with the government and benefit from federal support in building out AI infrastructure.[3]
Workforce development and integration of AI into education are highlighted, reflecting industry and academic calls for a skilled AI workforce and broader adoption of AI tools in learning environments.[2] The strategy also seeks to encourage exports of American AI technologies by leveraging U.S. government finance institutions and enhancing the global reach of American companies.[2]
A key theme is scaling back existing regulations deemed to hinder AI innovation, including the immediate rescission of Biden-era executive orders that established AI safety standards and other safeguards.[1] The plan aims to reduce the regulatory burden on AI companies, especially those developing large language models, and to “clear a path” for rapid innovation.[1][3] There is a stated intention to contract only with AI developers deemed free from “ideological bias”—a move framed as countering so-called “woke” AI models.[1][2]
The administration is expected to issue executive orders specifically targeting AI models perceived as politically biased, further formalizing this approach.[2] The strategy also recommends cutting back environmental requirements and streamlining permitting to facilitate the rapid construction of data centers and related power infrastructure.[1][2]
The plan positions the U.S. in direct competition with China, aiming to set global AI standards and reap economic and security benefits by outpacing rivals.[1] There is a shift toward promoting U.S. private sector expansion overseas, rather than focusing on protecting sensitive technologies from foreign competitors, indicating a more outward-looking trade and security posture.[3]
The plan’s overarching narrative is one of prioritizing speed and scale in AI development, even at the potential cost of reduced regulatory oversight and environmental safeguards, with the aim of securing long-term economic and strategic advantages for the United States.[1][2][3]
- The "AI Action Plan" encourages public-private collaboration, asking private sector leaders to partner with the government in building out AI infrastructure to support increased AI development and deployment.
- To accelerate the construction of data centers and supporting power infrastructure, the plan advocates for streamlining permitting policies, aiming to reduce the regulatory burden on AI companies.
- The strategy seeks to reduce existing regulations deemed to hinder AI innovation, including the immediate rescission of Biden-era executive orders that established AI safety standards and other safeguards, and aims to contract only with AI developers deemed free from "ideological bias."
