The incoming Trump administration’s approach to artificial intelligence governance is shaping up to be as bold and polarizing as you’d expect. At the center of it all is the rumored appointment of an AI czar, a role designed to steer the nation’s AI policy during what many see as a defining moment for the technology. But while this move has sparked excitement in tech circles, it’s also raising a host of questions about how the Trump administration will balance innovation, regulation, and public safety—or if it even intends to.
Here’s a deeper dive into the AI czar conversation, plus the broader implications of Trump’s AI policies.
The AI Czar: Industry Ally or Public Advocate?
Let’s be real: Trump’s AI czar, whoever they may be, is almost guaranteed to have close ties to the tech industry. Elon Musk has been floated as a potential influencer—if not for the role itself, then certainly for shaping it. Musk’s credentials are impressive, but they also come with baggage. As the head of Tesla, SpaceX, and xAI, he’s got plenty of skin in the AI game, and that raises serious concerns about conflicts of interest.
There’s a historical parallel here: Do you remember Harvey Pitt, chair of the SEC in the early 2000s, who was widely criticized for being too industry-friendly? His tenure left the SEC toothless during a critical time for financial oversight, with massive financial failures to follow. Could the same thing happen to AI governance under an industry-connected czar? If the czar prioritizes corporate interests over ethical guardrails, it’s not just bad optics—it’s bad policy.
Repealing Biden’s AI Executive Order
First off, Trump is likely to repeal President Biden’s Executive Order on AI. That order aimed to integrate AI into public services while ensuring safety, privacy, and civil rights protections. Trump’s camp has called it a roadblock to innovation and is gearing up to scrap it.
But here’s where it gets tricky: the Executive Order also established the AI Safety Institute (AISI), an agency focused on evaluating the safety of advanced AI systems. If Trump axes the AISI, we’ll lose one of the few guardrails protecting us from the potential downsides of unchecked AI development. Musk—who has publicly supported AI safety measures like California’s SB 1047—may find himself at odds with Trump’s aggressive deregulation agenda.
Electricity Infrastructure: “You’ll Beg Me to Stop”
Trump has also hinted at massive investments in electricity infrastructure to support AI growth. He’s promised so much electricity that, in his own words, “you’ll beg me to stop.”
On paper, this could address one of AI’s biggest bottlenecks: the energy-hungry data centers powering advanced models. But let’s not forget that Trump’s infrastructure ambitions have a history of being more rhetoric than reality.
Trade Barriers and the China Question
Trump’s AI strategy is deeply tied to his America First ethos, which means we can expect trade barriers with China and other nations. While this might score political points, it could also wreak havoc on the AI supply chain. Advanced AI requires cutting-edge semiconductors and other hardware, much of which is produced overseas. Disrupting that supply chain could slow AI innovation in the U.S. while giving competitors abroad a chance to catch up.
This stance could also alienate global partners and lead to fragmented AI standards. If the U.S. forges ahead with policies that don’t harmonize with international norms, it risks isolating itself from the collaborative efforts needed to tackle AI’s global challenges.
Disregard for AI Risks?
Trump’s emphasis on technological advancement might come at the expense of addressing AI’s very real risks. While Musk has warned about existential dangers and supported safeguards like SB 1047, Trump has shown little patience for cautionary tales. While an AI doomsday scenario is unlikely, that doesn’t mean AI is harmless. The technology can violate civil rights and be weaponized in ways we’re just beginning to understand.
There’s also the matter of AI’s social impact. Under Trump, don’t expect much emphasis on mitigating bias, ensuring fairness, or protecting personal data privacy. What some commentators have deemed as woke agendas are likely to take a backseat to accelerating innovation.
Open Source AI: Friend or Foe?
Another hot topic is open-source AI. Proponents argue that open-source models democratize innovation, but there’s a flip side: open-source tools can also be exploited by bad actors. Chinese researchers, for instance, have reportedly used open-source AI for military applications.
Trump’s policies may push for stricter controls on open-source AI, limiting access to advanced tools. But this approach could also stifle innovation abroad, especially for our partner countries in Europe and Asia that rely on these tools to catch up with U.S. tech giants.
The Bottom Line
Trump’s AI policies could shape up to be a mix of deregulation, nationalism, and industry favoritism. While this could spur innovation, it also risks sidelining critical safety and ethical considerations. The AI czar’s appointment will be a key indicator of where we’re headed.
Will they bring balance and accountability to the table? Or will they tilt the scales toward corporate interests and short-term gains?
