Here is a look at the administration’s AI moves since coming into office:
Stargate
On Jan. 21, President Donald Trump unveiled Stargate, a $100 billion initiative spearheaded by OpenAI, SoftBank, and Oracle. Touted as the “largest AI infrastructure project in history,” Stargate aims to revolutionize the physical and virtual framework of AI development in the U.S.
The project includes massive data centers, beginning with a 1-million-square-foot facility in Texas, and is expected to create 100,000 jobs nationwide. Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son emphasized that Stargate will not only secure U.S. dominance in AI but also serve as a bulwark against foreign competitors like China.
A departure from Biden-era AI regulations
The Trump administration’s emphasis on infrastructure contrasts sharply with the regulatory approach of former President Joe Biden. In 2023, Mr. Biden signed an executive order mandating safety tests for AI systems deemed a risk to national security, public health, or the economy. The order also outlined the development of guardrails for AI innovation, which healthcare providers and other industries closely monitored to ensure compliance.
President Trump rescinded Biden’s executive order. While no replacement guidance has been announced, this move reflects the administration’s preference for deregulation and free-market principles. During the 2024 campaign, the Republican Party expressed support for “AI development rooted in free speech and human flourishing.”
