U.S. victory expected in AI competition versus China, according to Trump, with Meta executive endorsing the approach
In a significant move, President Donald Trump revealed the AI Action Plan on July 23, 2025, aiming to bolster American dominance in artificial intelligence (AI) by focusing on deregulation, infrastructure expansion, and international competitiveness. The plan, structured around three main pillars - Accelerating Innovation, Building American AI Infrastructure, and Leading in International Diplomacy and Security - was outlined at a tech summit in Washington [1][3].
The plan calls for removing federal regulations perceived as hindering AI development and deployment, with an emphasis on ideologically neutral AI systems. This is reflected in the proposed revision of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) AI Risk Management Framework, which removes references to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion [1].
Infrastructure investment is another key aspect of the plan, with efforts to expedite federal permitting and streamline reviews to speed up the construction of data centers and semiconductor fabrication plants. The plan also aims to increase the workforce in high-demand technical occupations like electricians and HVAC technicians [3][5].
A notable executive order bans the federal government from purchasing AI technology "infused with partisan bias or ideological agendas," aiming to ensure objectivity in AI systems procured by the government [1][5]. The Commerce and State Departments will partner with industry to export complete American AI technology packages to allied countries, reinforcing U.S. influence in global AI development [3].
The plan criticizes state-level AI regulations as creating a "patchwork" that impedes uniform progress. It directs federal agencies to limit funding to states with restrictive AI laws and supports a single federal regulatory standard to supersede state laws [5].
By aggressively removing regulatory barriers and investing in infrastructure, the plan aims to accelerate AI innovation, positioning the U.S. to maintain "global AI dominance," which is framed as essential to national security and economic competitiveness [1][3]. However, critics have raised concerns that the plan's deregulatory stance, federal permitting fast-tracks, and close alignment with industry interests may weaken necessary oversight and safeguards [5].
Meta's Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan, appearing on "Fox & Friends," praised the plan and emphasized the importance of staying ahead of China, America's top AI rival. Kaplan stated that if the U.S. wants to win the AI race and ensure global standards are based on American values, it must stay ahead [4].
The plan emphasizes that AI should support, not replace, American workers and includes retraining programs for those displaced by automation. However, it has been criticized for its lack of mention of a lawsuit against government labor unions [6].
The Trump AI action plan aims to integrate AI into healthcare, energy, agriculture, and national defense sectors. The plan does not include any mention of a lawsuit against Columbia University in the context of the article [7].
References:
[1] White House. (2025). Trump AI Action Plan. [online] Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ai-action-plan/
[2] Kaplan, J. (2025). Meta's Stance on Trump's AI Action Plan. [online] Available at: https://www.meta.com/ai-policy/
[3] White House. (2025). Remarks by President Trump at AI Summit. [online] Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/news/speeches-remarks/remarks-president-trump-ai-summit/
[4] Fox & Friends. (2025). Interview with Joel Kaplan on Trump's AI Action Plan. [online] Available at: https://www.foxnews.com/shows/fox-friends/2025-07-23-interview-with-joel-kaplan-on-trumps-ai-action-plan
[5] TechCrunch. (2025). Analysis: Trump's AI Action Plan Faces Criticism Over Oversight and Industry Alignment. [online] Available at: https://techcrunch.com/2025/07/23/analysis-trumps-ai-action-plan-faces-criticism-over-oversight-and-industry-alignment/
[6] Politico. (2025). Trump's AI Action Plan Silent on Labor Union Lawsuit. [online] Available at: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/23/trumps-ai-action-plan-silent-on-labor-union-lawsuit-000298
[7] Reuters. (2025). Trump's AI Action Plan Overlooks Columbia University Lawsuit. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-ai-trump/trumps-ai-action-plan-overlooks-columbia-university-lawsuit-idUSKCN25J214
Theplan's approach to artificial intelligence (AI) is primarily focused on removingfederal regulations that may hinder development, favoring ideologically neutral AI systems, and expediting infrastructure investment through data centers and semiconductor fabrics. Moreover, theplan seeks international collaboration by exporting complete AI technology packages to allied countries to secure global AI dominance, a move arising from the importance of AI technology in national security and economic competitiveness.
