Inside Trump’s first day in office: New president revokes Biden AI safety order
Donald Trump was sworn in as president last week and his first order of business was dismantling key initiatives of the Biden administration, including the widely publicized AI Safety Executive Order. The move was part of a sweeping rollback of nearly 80 executive orders, signaling a sharp policy pivot going into the new administration.
Biden’s AI safety order: A snapshot
The AI Safety Executive Order, signed by President Biden, aimed to establish rigorous safety and ethical standards for artificial intelligence. Key provisions included:
Development of safety standards by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to prevent AI misuse, including weaponization and disinformation.
Guidelines for the military and intelligence communities to ensure ethical AI applications.
Measures to mitigate civil rights risks posed by AI, such as discrimination in healthcare and housing.
The order was lauded by advocates as a critical step in promoting responsible AI innovation and safeguarding public interests while maintaining U.S. competitiveness.
Trump’s justification and industry reactions
In his announcement, Trump framed the repeal as necessary to “restore common sense to the Federal Government and unleash the potential of the American citizen.” The administration argues that eliminating federal AI regulations will remove barriers for businesses, fostering a more competitive environment for American innovation.
However, critics warn that the absence of regulatory standards could lead to increased risks and undermine trust in AI technologies. “History has shown that deregulation often stifles development, as businesses and consumers grow wary of unchecked risks,” said one policy expert, drawing parallels to the volatility of the cryptocurrency market.
A busy first day in office
The revocation of the AI Safety Order is part of a larger series of controversial executive actions by Trump, including:
Commuting sentences and pardoning individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riots.
Renaming the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and restoring the name Mount McKinley to Alaska’s Denali.
Halting wind energy projects, pausing refugee admissions, and freezing foreign aid pending review.
Declaring a national emergency at the southern border and ordering domestic military action to secure it.
These moves have been met with a mix of praise and condemnation, reflecting the polarized state of American politics.
Future of AI policy
The repeal of Biden’s AI safety framework leaves the future of U.S. AI regulation uncertain. While Trump’s administration has expressed confidence in market-driven innovation, experts warn that the lack of oversight could hinder both public trust and global leadership in AI.
