News/Trump
Trump reconsiders China AI chip export controls amid bipartisan pushback
The Trump administration is reconsidering its tough stance on China technology export controls, potentially scrapping plans to replace a Biden-era AI export rule that restricts US chip technology from flowing to China and Russia. This shift reflects conflicting priorities as Trump seeks leverage in trade negotiations while maintaining his reputation as tough on China, drawing bipartisan criticism from lawmakers who argue the moves could strengthen Beijing's AI capabilities. What you should know: The administration has already approved sales of certain Nvidia semiconductors to China and is debating whether to abandon the AI diffusion rule entirely. Two industry sources told Semafor...
read Jul 29, 2025Trump eases water rules for AI data centers after tech lobbying push
The Trump administration has announced AI policy recommendations that include loosening Clean Water Act permitting for data centers, mirroring specific requests made earlier this year by Meta and the Data Center Coalition (DCC), a lobbying group representing tech giants like Google and Amazon Web Services. These environmental rollbacks are embedded within Trump's broader AI Action Plan, which aims to streamline regulatory processes that tech companies argue slow down critical infrastructure development. What you should know: The proposed changes target Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, which governs how projects impact federally protected waters during construction. Current 404 permits for...
read Jul 25, 2025Trump’s AI Action Plan prioritizes speed and upskilling over safety, worker protections
The Trump administration's new AI Action Plan signals a dramatic shift in how America approaches artificial intelligence policy, prioritizing rapid deployment and global dominance over the safety guardrails and worker protections that defined the previous administration's approach. Released as a 28-page policy blueprint, the plan charts an aggressive course toward AI supremacy while largely sidestepping thorny debates over copyright, environmental impact, and algorithmic bias. "America must do more than promote AI within its own borders," the document declares. "The United States must also drive adoption of American AI systems, computing hardware, and standards throughout the world." This ambitious vision comes...
read Jul 24, 2025Trump plans to roll back FTC enforcement against AI companies
The Trump administration has signaled plans to roll back Federal Trade Commission enforcement actions against AI companies, potentially ending an era of regulatory oversight that protected consumers from deceptive and harmful AI technologies. This shift could accelerate AI deployment while reducing safeguards for accuracy, fairness, and consumer protection, fundamentally altering how AI companies are held accountable for their products. What you should know: The FTC under Biden chair Lina Khan took multiple enforcement actions against AI companies for misleading consumers and deploying harmful technologies. The agency fined Evolv, a security company, for lying about AI-powered security checkpoints that failed to...
read Jul 24, 2025Greene breaks with Trump on AI order, citing environmental concerns and old school states’ rights
Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene broke ranks with President Trump on Thursday to oppose his artificial intelligence executive order, citing concerns about environmental impact and states' rights. The Georgia congresswoman's criticism marks another fracture between Trump and his MAGA base, as she warned the "rushed AI expansion" threatens federalism by withholding federal funding from states that regulate AI. What you should know: Trump's AI executive order aims to accelerate U.S. artificial intelligence development by making it easier to build data centers on federal lands and pressuring states to reduce regulations. The order threatens to withhold federal funding from AI projects...
read Jul 24, 2025Trump’s AI bias crackdown targets tech giants with $200M federal contracts
President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring companies with US government contracts to make their AI models "free from ideological bias," but experts warn the vague requirements could allow the administration to impose its own worldview on tech companies. The directive targets major AI developers including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta, who hold federal contracts worth hundreds of millions of dollars, while raising questions about the technical feasibility and global implications of politically steering AI systems. What you should know: Trump's AI Action Plan specifically targets what the administration calls "woke" AI bias in federal contracting. The plan recommends...
read Jul 24, 2025Trump rejects AI copyright payments as impractical against China
President Trump rejected the idea of requiring AI companies to pay copyright holders for training data, arguing it would be impractical and put the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage against China. Speaking at an AI Summit in Washington, D.C., Trump called for a "common sense" approach that allows unfettered AI development, comparing AI learning to human reading where knowledge is gained without copyright violations. What Trump said: The president drew parallels between human learning and AI training to justify his position on copyright compensation. "You can't be expected to have a successful AI program when every single article, book or...
read Jul 24, 2025Chip 5400, where are you? Trump administration proposes location tracking for advanced AI chips
The Trump administration has recommended implementing location verification technology for advanced AI chips to prevent them from reaching foreign adversaries like China. The proposal, part of a broader AI blueprint released Wednesday, received bipartisan support from lawmakers who have introduced similar legislation to track semiconductors after they're sold. What you should know: The recommendation aims to ensure that advanced AI chips from companies like Nvidia and AMD don't end up in restricted countries despite export controls. The administration wants to "explore leveraging new and existing location verification features on advanced AI compute to ensure that the chips are not in...
read Jul 24, 2025Trump’s AI Action Plan prioritizes open-source models, reshapes government tech
President Donald Trump signed the AI Action Plan, establishing an "open-weight first" approach to artificial intelligence development that explicitly supports open-source AI models and removes regulatory barriers for government AI adoption. The plan signals a fundamental shift from the previous administration's cautious regulatory stance, potentially accelerating enterprise AI deployment while creating new compliance challenges for businesses working with federal agencies. What you should know: The Action Plan restructures how government agencies can contract with AI providers and sets clear priorities for American AI leadership. The plan removes references to misinformation and diversity, equity and inclusion from National Institute of Standards...
read Jul 23, 2025Trump suspends environmental reviews to speed AI data center construction
Environmental advocates warned Wednesday that AI data centers are driving up electricity costs for consumers and increasing pollution, as the Trump administration unveiled executive orders to accelerate data center construction by suspending environmental reviews. The concerns highlight a growing tension between AI infrastructure demands and environmental protection, with communities in states like Virginia, Tennessee, and Indiana already experiencing higher utility rates and air quality issues from the power-hungry facilities. What you should know: Data centers require massive amounts of electricity, forcing utilities to build new power plants and transmission lines whose costs are shared by all customers. In Virginia, which...
read Jul 23, 2025Trump unveils 28-page “try-first” AI plan to slash regulations and boost federal adoption
President Donald Trump has unveiled a comprehensive "AI Action Plan" that aims to accelerate American AI development while removing regulatory barriers and promoting "objective truth" in AI systems. The 28-page document, released Wednesday ahead of Trump's appearance at a Washington DC tech event, establishes three core pillars: accelerating AI innovation, building American AI infrastructure, and leading international AI diplomacy and security. What you should know: The plan seeks to fundamentally reshape how the US approaches AI regulation and development through aggressive deregulation and federal adoption. Trump is expected to sign related executive orders this week to implement the plan's key...
read Jul 23, 2025Trump unveils AI strategy targeting China while promoting open-source models
The White House has unveiled a new artificial intelligence policy plan aimed at achieving "global dominance" in the AI sector, with President Donald Trump calling for open-source AI models to be freely available worldwide. The plan also directs the Commerce Department to investigate Chinese AI models for potential alignment with Communist Party messaging and restricts federal AI funding to states with burdensome regulations. Key policy priorities: The administration's strategy centers on promoting open AI development while scrutinizing foreign competitors. Open-source and open-weight AI models should be made freely available by developers for global download and modification. The Commerce Department will...
read Jul 22, 2025Trump’s $500B AI bet trades safety oversight for China competition
The Trump administration's approach to artificial intelligence regulation has fundamentally shifted America's AI policy landscape, prioritizing innovation and competitiveness over safety oversight. Since taking office in January, President Trump has systematically dismantled predecessor policies while positioning the United States for what his administration frames as a critical technological race with China. This transformation culminated Wednesday with the release of the AI Action Plan, a 20-page policy document that emphasizes "promoting innovation, reducing regulatory burdens and overhauling permitting" while notably avoiding contentious issues like copyright protections for AI training data. The plan emerged alongside Trump's speech at a summit featuring leaders...
read Jul 21, 2025Trump targets AI “bias” with executive order threatening $200M in contracts
The Trump administration is planning an executive order that would require AI companies receiving federal contracts to ensure their chatbots are "politically neutral and unbiased," targeting what officials perceive as "liberal bias" in AI models. This move could jeopardize up to $200 million in Defense Department contracts recently awarded to major AI firms including Anthropic, Google, OpenAI, and xAI. What you should know: The executive order specifically targets AI systems deemed "woke" by the administration and comes amid broader efforts to boost US competitiveness against China in artificial intelligence. The Chief Digital and Artificial Intelligence Office (CDAO), the Pentagon's AI...
read Jul 18, 2025Sheryl Crow criticizes Trump era and AI, has a feeling she’s not the only one
Sheryl Crow has released "The New Normal," a new single critiquing the current political climate under President Trump while addressing concerns about artificial intelligence and societal shifts. The song, performed with her touring band the Real Lowdown, reflects the singer's fears that increasingly "bizarre" circumstances might become accepted as ordinary. What she's saying: Crow expressed her concerns about current events in social media posts accompanying the release.• "What's happening all around us is so unbelievably bizarre, that my fear is we will truly begin to feel like this is normal. And that's what terrifies me," she wrote on Instagram. Key...
read Jul 18, 2025Trump to unveil AI executive orders targeting China competition
President Donald Trump is set to unveil several executive orders next week aimed at securing America's artificial intelligence advantage over China. The anticipated measures include streamlining data center permitting, promoting US tech exports, and other initiatives designed to accelerate the nation's AI capabilities, with Trump expected to deliver a major speech outlining his administration's AI vision. What you should know: The executive orders represent Trump's most comprehensive AI policy framework since taking office, targeting key infrastructure and trade barriers that could slow US AI development. The orders will focus on expediting permitting processes for data center construction, addressing a critical...
read Jul 16, 2025Trump promotes fossil fuels for AI future at $92B Pittsburgh summit
President Donald Trump joined energy executives and tech leaders at a Pittsburgh summit to promote fossil fuels as the primary power source for AI expansion, with companies announcing $92 billion in energy and AI investments. The event strategically positioned natural gas as essential for meeting AI's projected energy demands, potentially revitalizing a struggling industry facing supply gluts and market headwinds. What you should know: The Energy and Innovation Summit brought together an unlikely coalition of Trump administration officials, Big Tech executives, and fossil fuel leaders to advance a pro-natural gas agenda for AI infrastructure. Trump acknowledged that AI is "not...
read Jul 15, 2025Trump announces $90B AI investment push led by Google’s $25B commitment
President Donald Trump announced more than $90 billion in AI and energy investments at Pennsylvania's inaugural Energy and Innovation Summit on Tuesday, with Google leading the commitments through a $25 billion data center and AI infrastructure investment. The announcement positions Pennsylvania as a major AI hub while aligning with Trump's broader energy agenda in a key gas-producing state. The big picture: The investments represent a significant push to establish Pennsylvania as a central location for AI infrastructure development, combining the state's energy resources with cutting-edge technology investments. Key commitments: Google is making the largest financial commitment with multiple billion-dollar investments....
read Jul 15, 2025Nvidia to resume H20 AI chip sales to China, eyeing $15-20B revenue
Nvidia will resume sales of H20 AI chips to China after CEO Jensen Huang met with President Donald Trump, with Chinese firms already rushing to place orders for the restricted processors. The move could generate $15 billion to $20 billion in additional revenue for Nvidia this year, marking a significant shift in US-China technology relations after the chips were effectively banned in April. What you should know: Nvidia expects to receive US government licenses soon to restart shipments of H20 chips, which represent the company's most capable AI processors legally available in China. The US government has assured Nvidia that...
read Jul 11, 2025Missouri AG investigates tech giants over AI chatbot bias against Trump
Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is formally investigating Google, Microsoft, OpenAI, and Meta, claiming their AI chatbots engaged in deceptive business practices by ranking Donald Trump last when asked to "rank the last five presidents from best to worst, specifically regarding antisemitism." The investigation represents a brazen attempt to intimidate private companies for failing to sufficiently flatter a politician, with Bailey demanding extensive documentation about AI model training and content moderation practices. What you should know: Bailey's investigation is built on shaky legal and factual ground, with fundamental errors in his approach. The investigation stems from a conservative blog post...
read Jul 10, 2025Jensen Huang is meeting with Trump amid chip export controls, stellar Nvidia valuation
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will meet with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday, as the AI chipmaker becomes the first company to close a trading day with a market cap exceeding $4 trillion. The high-profile meeting comes amid ongoing tensions over export controls on Nvidia's AI chips that the Trump administration implemented in April, which have effectively cut off the company's access to China's lucrative semiconductor market. What you should know: Nvidia achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first company to close above a $4 trillion market valuation, surpassing Apple and Microsoft. The company's stock rose...
read Jun 30, 2025Trump fires US Copyright Office leader amid critical AI lawsuits
The Trump administration's abrupt firing of US Copyright Office leader Shira Perlmutter has left the agency without effective leadership during a critical period for AI copyright litigation. The dismissal, which Perlmutter is challenging in court as invalid, has created operational dysfunction at an agency that has gained new prominence issuing key AI copyright rulings. What you should know: The Copyright Office has been operating without a confirmed leader since May, when Perlmutter was fired via email by the White House's deputy director of personnel. Perlmutter is suing the Trump administration, arguing that only the Librarian of Congress has authority to...
read Jun 27, 2025Trump secures China rare earth deal while escalating AI competition
President Donald Trump is preparing to sign executive orders that would dramatically escalate AI competition with China, despite having just resolved a months-long trade dispute over rare earth metals essential for AI development. The timing appears contradictory, as the White House is simultaneously securing critical AI resources from China while positioning the countries as locked in an "AI arms race." What happened: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick announced Thursday that China agreed to resume rare earth metal deliveries to the US following Trump's controversial "Liberation Day" tariffs from April. The deal was one of 10 trade agreements signed Tuesday after China...
read Jun 27, 2025Trump tax bill forces states to choose between AI rules and $42B in broadband
The Trump administration's proposed tax bill includes a provision that would ban states from enforcing AI regulations for 10 years, threatening to cut federal broadband funding for non-compliant states. This creates a stark choice for states between protecting residents from AI risks and securing billions in critical internet infrastructure funding, potentially leaving the country in a "dangerous regulatory vacuum" while federal AI policy remains undefined. What you should know: The Senate rule ties state AI regulation enforcement to federal broadband funding through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, a $42 billion federal initiative that helps states build high-speed...
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