On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump announced the revocation of an executive order originally signed by former President Joe Biden in 2023, which aimed to mitigate the potential risks associated with artificial intelligence for consumers, workers, and national security.
The executive order established requirements for developers of AI systems that pose threats to U.S. national security, the economy, and public health or safety. It mandated these developers to disclose safety test results to the federal government before releasing their products to the public, in accordance with the Defense Production Act.
Additionally, Biden’s directive tasked government agencies with formulating standards for safety evaluations and addressing a range of risks, including those related to chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and cybersecurity threats. This move followed the inability of U.S. lawmakers to enact legislation that would establish regulatory frameworks for AI development.
The 2024 Republican Party platform pledged to annul the executive order, arguing that it obstructs innovation in AI, asserting, “Republicans support AI development rooted in free speech and human flourishing.”
The rise of generative AI, capable of producing text, images, and videos from open-ended prompts, has elicited both enthusiasm and concern regarding its potential to displace jobs and introduce other negative outcomes.
Recently, the U.S. Commerce Department implemented new restrictions on exportation of AI chips and technologies, inciting backlash from industry leaders, including companies such as Nvidia.
Furthermore, Biden signed another executive order last week aimed at providing federal assistance to meet the burgeoning energy demands of rapidly advancing AI data centers. This order calls for the leasing of federal properties owned by the Defense and Energy departments. Trump chose not to revoke this specific directive.
© Thomson Reuters 2025
