What Repealing Biden's AI Executive Order Could Mean for the Future of AI in America
With Donald Trump set to take office, his administration could swiftly dismantle several of Joe Biden’s recent tech-focused policies, including the 2023 AI Executive Order. This decision would signal a sharp pivot away from the cautious, regulatory approach to AI development and use that Biden’s administration began to lay out. What does this mean for the future of AI in America? The impacts could be both profound and far-reaching, affecting everything from job markets and privacy rights to global AI leadership and tech ethics.
1. Deregulation and Rapid AI Expansion
Biden’s AI executive order was designed to curb the potential risks associated with advanced AI, such as bias, transparency, and safety issues. By repealing this order, Trump would remove early guardrails set to manage AI’s rapid growth. This deregulatory approach aligns with Trump’s stated preference for minimal government interference in tech, but it could lead to an environment where companies prioritize speed and profit over safety and ethics. AI applications in sensitive areas like hiring, healthcare, and education could operate with less oversight, risking biased algorithms and privacy concerns.
2. Impact on American Workforce and Jobs
One of the critical goals of Biden’s executive order was to create a balanced approach to AI that protects workers’ rights and prevents massive job displacement. Under a Trump administration, the absence of these protections could lead to a surge in AI-powered automation, potentially displacing workers in sectors like retail, finance, and customer service. Economists and labor experts warn that without regulatory safeguards, millions of jobs could be at risk, increasing unemployment and deepening socio-economic divides.
3. A Power Shift to Big Tech
Repealing the executive order could transfer substantial power to major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, and Meta, allowing them to dominate AI development with fewer checks and balances. Under Biden, these tech giants faced increased scrutiny over their use of AI, particularly concerning monopolistic practices. Trump’s deregulation may relax this oversight, emboldening Big Tech to expand their influence, potentially at the expense of smaller innovators and consumers.
4. National Security and Geopolitical Ramifications
The U.S. government has historically led AI development with both civilian and defense applications. Biden’s executive order laid out measures for responsible AI usage in defense and security sectors, addressing the ethical implications of autonomous systems and military AI. Without these guidelines, the line between ethical AI usage and opportunistic AI exploitation in defense could blur, potentially straining relations with international allies who have stringent AI ethics frameworks, like the European Union.
5. Potential Impacts on Climate Initiatives
Trump’s policy shift also signals potential deregulation in environmental standards to hasten data center expansion, a move that could amplify the carbon footprint of AI development. Biden’s executive order highlighted sustainable AI practices as critical to mitigating climate impact. Without these regulations, we may see an unrestrained expansion of high-energy data centers and the prioritization of rapid AI model deployment over environmental responsibility. The environmental cost could be significant, with increased emissions and resource consumption.
The following was a newsletter sent by Al Gore through the Climate Reality Project:
Subject: My greatest source of hope
Dear Kevin,
For climate advocates across the country, the outcome of this election means that all of us must find ways to redouble our efforts and find bipartisan solutions to the climate crisis that create jobs, promote prosperity and safeguard the future of humanity.
In a moment such as this, it is important to remember that all major reform efforts, from civil rights to the climate movement, suffer dark days. And this is surely one. We can mourn a loss, but we can’t linger in despair. Our planet doesn’t have time for that. Now more than ever, this movement needs engagement and leadership from all corners of the country.
During a down moment in the struggle for civil rights, Martin Luther King, Jr. said something about overcoming days like this: “If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; if you can’t walk, crawl; but by all means keep moving.”
We know the line to solutions is never straight or easy. But we have won major victories in tackling the climate crisis and reducing climate pollution in our country, and we will again.
My greatest source of hope comes from the courage and commitment of grassroots leaders and advocates in the US and around the world who are relentlessly pushing for progress. Onward.
Al Gore
Founder and Chairman
The Climate Reality Project
6. Consumer Rights and Data Privacy at Risk
AI systems are data-hungry, often relying on vast amounts of personal information to function effectively. Biden’s executive order pushed for transparency and consumer protection regarding AI data use. Trump’s repeal could leave users more vulnerable to privacy breaches, as tech companies would no longer need to adhere to the order's transparency guidelines. This could lead to a new wave of privacy concerns, especially in sectors like healthcare, finance, and education, where sensitive data is at stake.
7. Setting a Global Standard—or Falling Behind?
Lastly, repealing Biden’s executive order risks setting the U.S. back in the global race for ethical AI leadership. As countries worldwide, from Canada to the EU, establish AI ethics frameworks, the U.S. might be seen as a less reliable partner in tech governance. With China rapidly advancing its AI sector, the U.S. risks ceding leadership in shaping global AI standards, a critical factor in defining international tech policies.
Conclusion
The potential repeal of Biden’s AI executive order represents a crossroads for America’s AI future. Will we see a surge in innovation at any cost, or a future where tech ethics, worker protection, and environmental responsibility take a back seat? As Trump’s administration steps in, the implications of this decision will ripple through the tech industry, the workforce, and the fabric of American society—shaping how we integrate AI into our daily lives and who ultimately benefits from its evolution.
By staying informed and engaged, we can continue to advocate for an AI future that reflects our values, protects our privacy, and balances innovation with ethical responsibility.
