Trump, AI developer tools and the biggest moves in AI this week (so far)

In a significant policy shift, President Trump has revoked the Biden Administration’s executive order on AI safety and announced plans for major AI infrastructure investments.

Key policy changes: The Trump administration’s first actions on AI signal a dramatic shift away from federal oversight of artificial intelligence development.

• Trump eliminated Biden’s October 2023 executive order that required AI companies to share safety test results and address model biases
• A new joint project called Stargate, involving OpenAI, Softbank and Oracle, aims to invest billions in AI data center infrastructure
• Oracle’s stock rose following news of its involvement in the Stargate project

Industry implications: The AI sector faces uncertainty around both regulation and immigration policies under the new administration.

• Foreign-born tech workers and AI startup founders are concerned about potential visa restrictions
• Many rushed to secure visas before Trump’s inauguration
• The shift toward deregulation marks a stark contrast to Biden’s more oversight-focused approach

Notable funding developments: AI development tools continue to attract major investment despite policy uncertainty.

• Cursor raised $105 million at a $2.5 billion valuation, reaching $100 million in annual recurring revenue
• The company’s AI code editor is used by major tech firms including OpenAI and Shopify
• UK-based Synthesia secured $180 million at a $2.1 billion valuation for its AI video avatar technology

Ethical concerns: Recent developments highlight growing challenges around AI misuse and responsible development.

• AI-powered “kissing apps” enabling non-consensual deepfakes have gained millions of downloads
• These apps are being heavily advertised across major social platforms
• A networking tool called Boardy faced criticism for sending gender-biased AI-generated emails mimicking Trump’s style

Scientific progress: Google DeepMind’s COO Lila Ibrahim highlighted significant advances in scientific applications of AI.

• AlphaFold, used by over 2.2 million researchers globally, has made breakthroughs in protein folding
• The technology is being applied to challenges ranging from food security to industrial waste management
• Ibrahim emphasized the importance of making AI tools accessible to scientists worldwide

Looking ahead: The dramatic policy shift and continuing ethical challenges suggest a complex path forward for AI development and governance.

While Trump’s deregulatory approach may accelerate AI development and infrastructure investment, questions remain about how to address growing concerns around AI safety and misuse without federal oversight. The contrast between scientific breakthroughs and problematic consumer applications highlights the need for balanced approaches to innovation and responsible development.