Trump's Allies Want To "Make America First In AI" With Extensive Executive Orders

Donald Trump and former British PM Boris Johnson, (photo: truth social)

JAKARTA - The former President Donald Trump's allies have reportedly compiled a broad executive order regarding artificial intelligence (AI) aimed at improving military technology and reducing AI development regulations. This is stated in a report from The Washington Post. This plan, which includes a section entitled "Make America First in AI," indicates the potential for major changes in AI policy if Trump returns to the White House by 2025.

The order calls for a series of " Manhattan Projects" to advance military AI capabilities. It also calls for an immediate review of what it calls "unnecessary and burdensome regulations" on AI development. This approach is in stark contrast to Joe Biden's administration's executive order from last October, which imposed new safety testing requirements on advanced AI systems.

The proposed order suggests establishing an "industrial-led" agency to evaluate AI models and protect the system from foreign threats. This approach is likely to benefit tech companies that are already working with the Pentagon on AI projects, such as Palantir, Anduril, and Scale AI. The executives of these companies have reportedly expressed support for Trump.

At the same time, The Washington Post notes that the conservative Heritage Foundation is developing a series of AI policies as part of Project 2025, a blueprint for Trump's second potential term. Although Trump's campaign has not officially supported this plan, the plan includes proposals to increase research and development of AI in the US while limiting China's access to the technology.

Former Trump official at the America First Policy Institute played an important role in drafting orders obtained by Post, according to sources familiar with the matter. America First Policy Institute told Post that the draft order does not represent its official position and that it does not coordinate with any candidate or campaign. However, this is a potential preview of dramatic policy changes about AI under Trump's second administration, which is reflected on the Republican's official platform for 2024.

"We will revoke Joe Biden's dangerous Executive Order that hinders AI innovation, and impose Left Radical ideas in the development of this technology," said a GOP platform document. "Instead, Republicans support AI Development rooted in Freedom of Speech and Human Sustainability."

This policy is in line with changes in political winds in Silicon Valley. Several technology executives and venture capitalists who previously supported Democrats now support Trump. Axios reports that VC billionaires Marc Andreessen and Ben Horowitz will each make donations to Trump's election efforts. And after a recent assassination attempt against Trump, Elon Musk publicly supported Trump's presidential candidacy and promised to provide financial support to PAC pro-Trump.

On Monday, July 15, Trump announced Ohio Senator JD Vance as his partner for the 2024 election in a reportedly encouraging supporters of rapid AI development. Vance, known for his venture capital background and his relationship with Silicon Valley figures such as Andreessen and Peter Thiel, has voiced opposition to AI regulations and criticized Big Tech companies for promoting government oversight.

Vance has also voiced his support for open-source AI in the past, which makes this picture a little more complicated. But so far, nothing is simple in AI, and in some ways, the concept of "AI" has gone beyond its technical roots to be more like an idea than technology.

In a field full of belief that ranges from creating entities such as gods to the destruction of mankind in science fiction scenarios or in vain environmental damage, the line of battle has been drawn, and AI is already very political.