AFFM Welcomes President Trump’s Artificial Intelligence Directive to Ensure America’s Innovation Leadership While Protecting National Security

Executive Order Balances National Security Concerns with A Free-Market Approach to AI Development and Innovation

Earlier this month, President Trump released an Executive Order (EO) outlining a plan aiming to ensure America leads the world in artificial intelligence (AI) technological developments while protecting national security. The framework highlights the national security advantages that can emerge from public-private partnerships while reaffirming that America’s AI advantage depends on private-sector innovation, free market competition and the avoidance of burdensome regulation.

Americans for Free Markets applauds President Trump and his administration for continuing the work to both protect American consumers and maintain the nation’s prominence as a global leader in AI innovation.  

Public-Private Partnerships Are Critical to Future Success
The EO also recognizes the importance of non-coercive partnerships between the federal government and AI companies. AI models deemed “covered frontier models” will have the opportunity to opt in to be examined by national security entities prior to being released to the public. Such a program could address potential cybersecurity and national security concerns.

Protecting AI Infrastructure, Encouraging Market Innovation

Importantly, the order rules out mandatory government licensing preclearance, or permitting requirements in relation to the development, publication, release or distribution of new AI models, including covered frontier models. This acknowledges that we can protect critical data infrastructure systems without stymying innovation via a mandatory government approval process.

The order also correctly targets criminal misuse through existing laws rather than creating a new AI-specific regulatory structure. Law enforcement should use the tools at its disposal to target unlawful conduct, not the not underlying technology itself.

This EO recognizes the importance of bringing all stakeholders to together through the facilitation of non-coercive public and private sector cooperation, which is key for any national strategy that ensures continued American leadership in AI while safeguarding national security.

AFFM welcomes the administration’s recognition that American AI leadership depends on innovation, private-sector dynamism, stakeholder involvement and the avoidance of burdensome regulation.