On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump rescinded a 2023 executive order signed by former President Joe Biden.
Biden’s order aimed to address the risks of artificial intelligence to consumers, workers, and national security by implementing stricter oversight and transparency requirements.
It directed the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop guidelines to identify and correct flaws in AI models, including biases. It also required developers to share the results of safety tests with the government before releasing AI systems to the public.
Trump’s decision to repeal the order marks a significant shift in AI policy. The former executive order was designed to promote accountability and fairness in AI development but faced criticism for imposing stringent reporting requirements on companies.
Opponents, many aligned with Trump, argued that these measures were overly burdensome and could force businesses to reveal proprietary information.
During his campaign, Trump vowed to replace what he called restrictive AI policies with initiatives that promote “free speech and human flourishing” but offered little detail about his plans.
The move has sparked debate within the tech industry and among policymakers. Supporters of Biden’s order argue that its provisions were essential for ensuring ethical AI development and safeguarding against potential harm.
They emphasize that unchecked AI systems could perpetuate biases or pose risks to public safety. Critics of the order, however, maintain that the regulations stifled innovation and discouraged investment in AI technologies by increasing compliance costs and regulatory hurdles.
