President Trump has signed an executive order aimed at reshaping the United States’ approach to artificial intelligence (AI) policy. Titled “Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence,” the executive action provides a roadmap for maintaining and enhancing the nation’s global dominance in AI development and application.
The order underscores AI’s critical role in driving economic growth, strengthening national security, and promoting innovation. It highlights the U.S.’s historical leadership in the field, driven by free markets, cutting-edge research institutions, and entrepreneurial ingenuity, and calls for policies that will solidify this position amid global competition.
The order also formally revokes Executive Order 14110, issued in October 2023, which focused on “Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence.” According to the new directive, prior policies are to be reviewed for any measures that may act as barriers to innovation or hinder U.S. AI leadership. Agencies are directed to identify and amend or revoke such policies to align with the objectives of the new order.
Key Provisions of the Executive Order
- Development of an AI Action Plan: The executive order mandates the creation of a comprehensive action plan to sustain and enhance the U.S.’s position as the global leader in AI. The Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, the Special Advisor for AI and Crypto, and the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs are tasked with spearheading the effort, in coordination with other federal agencies.
- Policy Revisions and Alignment: Federal agencies and departments are required to review existing policies, directives, and regulations that may conflict with the new AI strategy. Agencies are instructed to suspend, revise, or rescind policies inconsistent with the new directive to remove obstacles to innovation and competitiveness.
- OMB Memoranda Updates: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will update key memoranda, including M-24-10 and M-24-18, to reflect the administration’s priorities under the new executive order.
- Focus on Bias-Free AI Development: The executive order emphasizes the importance of developing AI systems free from ideological bias and engineered social agendas, underscoring the administration’s focus on ensuring impartial and effective AI solutions.
National Implications
This executive order is a significant pivot in the federal government’s approach to AI, signaling a shift in priorities toward enhancing economic competitiveness, ensuring national security, and fostering innovation. The order outlines a strategy for streamlining federal policies and removing bureaucratic barriers to encourage private-sector collaboration and drive forward U.S. leadership in AI technology.
It also reinforces the administration’s commitment to addressing global challenges and remaining at the forefront of the AI race, a field increasingly seen as critical to technological, economic, and geopolitical power in the 21st century.
The White House’s move will likely set the tone for AI policy at the executive level, guiding how the federal government engages with the private sector, research institutions, and international partners to harness the transformative power of artificial intelligence.
Next Steps
Federal agencies have been given 180 days to draft an actionable plan under the leadership of the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and other key advisors. The Office of Management and Budget has also been directed to implement immediate revisions to align existing regulations with the executive order’s objectives.