Newly sworn-in U.S. President Donald Trump has officially overturned an executive order introduced under the Biden administration, which had aimed to regulate companies developing advanced AI models.
The Biden policy, introduced in October 2023, encouraged top AI developers, such as OpenAI and Google, to provide safety evaluations and share key information with federal authorities. The initiative sought to create a framework for AI safety standards, focusing on privacy protection, civil rights safeguards, and countering national security risks.
While the order received support from major tech giants, it faced pushback from smaller tech innovators, many of whom have been vocal supporters of Trump.
The repeal marks a significant shift, leaving the U.S., home to the majority of the world’s leading AI systems, without clear federal guidelines for AI development.
When ChatGPT’s release stirred global discussions, tech leaders like Elon Musk—an ally of Trump—urged swift governmental action to manage the rapid growth of AI technologies, despite their own ambitions in the sector.
The 2024 Republican platform criticized Biden’s order, labeling it as restrictive to AI innovation and an attempt to enforce ideological bias in technological progress.
This hands-off approach sets the U.S. apart from other regions like the European Union, which introduced binding rules through its AI Act in May 2024, and China, which is actively crafting its regulatory framework.
Despite the repeal, some experts emphasize the importance of responsible AI development. Alexandra Reeve Givens, from the Center for Democracy & Technology, noted that the Biden-era policy helped guide public and private discussions during a pivotal moment for AI. She added, “Whether the order is in place or not, the focus must remain on adopting AI responsibly and ensuring the U.S. leads in AI governance.”