Candace BarnetteThe White House made a major commitment to bolstering domestic artificial intelligence (AI) last week by announcing the “Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan”. The announcement follows a January executive order from President Trump directing his administration, with input from the National Security Council, to create a plan to reduce regulation and promote AI expansion.
The plan encompasses more than 90 separate policy changes covering three pillars: Accelerating Innovation, Building AI Infrastructure and Leading in International Diplomacy and Security. Many of the initiatives roll back regulations that previous administrations implemented, particularly restrictions on AI chip exports and data center permits.
The first pillar centers on reducing federal regulations by using private sector input to identify the ones that most hinder innovation. This approach will establish the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR), which leans on federal partnerships with tech companies to provide improved computing access for academics and startups with limited budgets.
The plan also emphasizes workforce development programs featuring tax incentives for employers who provide AI training. Under the proposed guidelines, companies could offer tax-free reimbursement for AI-related training under Section 132 of the Internal Revenue Code. The administration has added ideological neutrality requirements for AI companies receiving federal funds, as well, requiring government contractors to ensure their systems remain objective and free from ideological bias.
The second pillar addresses infrastructure investments needed to support the growing AI landscape. The administration plans to accelerate data center creation by streamlining permit processes while offering financial support through loans, grants and tax incentives.
Environmental permitting will see significant changes as well. The plan explores nationwide Clean Water Act permits specifically designed for data center development sites, and officials will establish new exclusions under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for data center construction. These efforts are designed to advance projects through the approval process more quickly.
Beyond permitting, the plan enhances the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) program by removing what officials describe as unnecessary policy requirements while maintaining focus on taxpayer returns. Energy grid infrastructure will receive modernization investments, including advanced technologies for existing transmission lines. The administration will prioritize investments in alternative power sources such as geothermal, nuclear fission and fusion technologies to meet AI’s substantial energy demands.
The third pillar focuses on expanding American AI influence internationally. The Departments of Commerce and State will partner with the private sector to deliver comprehensive AI export packages to allied nations. These packages encompass a full technology stack, including hardware, software, models, applications and standards.
Central to these efforts, the Center for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI) will serve as the federal government’s primary technical body for AI evaluation and standard-setting. CAISI will assess risks from foreign AI systems, develop standards for frontier AI models and collaborate with national security agencies to identify potential threats including foreign influence and backdoor vulnerabilities.
The administration expects to implement these policy changes over the coming months as agencies work to establish new programs and remove existing regulatory barriers.
Photo by Tara Winstead from Pexels
