Trump, the self-proclaimed technocrat, unveils 'America's Artificial Intelligence Strategy'
The White House has released a policy document titled 'America's AI Action Plan'. This comprehensive plan, aimed at removing barriers to AI leadership, was primarily developed by officials and advisors within the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), coordinated across federal government agencies, and influenced by the Trump administration leadership.
The OSTP led the drafting of the AI Action Plan, soliciting input from multiple federal agencies and private-sector feedback. The department plays a central coordinating and advisory role in U.S. science and technology policy, including AI development.
President Donald Trump, as the head of the executive branch at the time, shaped the strategic vision of the plan, emphasising "unquestioned and unchallenged global technological dominance" and the "national security imperative" for AI superiority.
Several supporting departments and agencies are engaged in areas such as AI research, infrastructure development, cybersecurity, export controls, and international AI diplomacy. These entities include the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of Energy (DoE), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Science Foundation (NSF), and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
The core team shaping the AI Action Plan consists of senior White House science advisors at OSTP with strong technical and policy backgrounds in AI, federal agency leaders with expertise in AI research and security, and Presidential leadership setting strategic priorities for AI dominance and deregulation to accelerate innovation.
The plan suggests building, maintaining, and updating national security-related AI evaluations through collaboration between CAISI at DOC, national security agencies, and relevant research institutions. It also focuses on AI literacy and workforce retraining, promoting a narrowly defined set of competencies determined by federal projections of industrial demand.
The plan also recommends developing a mechanism for data sharing between nucleic acid synthesis providers to screen for potentially fraudulent or malicious customers. Furthermore, it proposes a multi-tiered approach to screen for malicious actors and develop new tools for effective screening across government agencies.
The 'America's AI Action Plan' was the work of key figures, including Michael Kratsios, David Sacks, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Kratsios, who currently serves as Assistant to the President for Science and Technology, coordinated interagency AI initiatives, helped develop the American AI Initiative, and convened industry, academic, and civil-society stakeholders to guide national technology policy.
David O. Sacks, listed as Special Advisor for AI and Crypto in the 'America's AI Action Plan', was a co-founder and the first Chief Operating Officer (COO) of PayPal. He is self-appointed as the "Crypto and AI Czar" in the plan. However, it is important to note that Sacks has no current position with any government entity and is, therefore, a private citizen.
The plan advocates for requiring institutions receiving Federal funding for scientific research to use nucleic acid synthesis tools with robust screening procedures. The third pillar extends the domestic technocratic agenda to the world by exporting American AI frameworks, hardware standards, and regulatory templates to allies.
This multifaceted collaboration ensures that AI policy integrates technical innovation, workforce development, infrastructure expansion, national security, and international leadership. The 'America's AI Action Plan' is a significant step towards achieving the vision of global AI dominance, with implications for the future of technology and international relations.
- The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) led the drafting of the AI Action Plan, soliciting input from multiple federal agencies and private-sector feedback.
- The department plays a central coordinating and advisory role in U.S. science and technology policy, including artificial intelligence development.
- President Donald Trump, as the head of the executive branch at the time, shaped the strategic vision of the plan, emphasizing "unchallenged global technological dominance" and the "national security imperative" for AI superiority.
- The plan recommends developing a mechanism for data sharing between nucleic acid synthesis providers to screen for potentially fraudulent or malicious customers.
- This multifaceted collaboration ensures that AI policy integrates technical innovation, workforce development, infrastructure expansion, national security, and international leadership, aiming at global AI dominance and influencing international relations.
