What President Trump’s Long-Awaited AI Action Plan Means for the Future of America’s AI Capabilities

Washington, D.C. (July 28, 2025) - On July 23, 2025, the Trump administration released its AI Action Plan, which aims to promote AI infrastructure, innovation and America’s global influence. In conjunction with the Action Plan, President Trump signed three executive orders (“E.O.”) aimed at executing the Plan and reshaping the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) in the United States. Together, these documents are part of a broader plan designed to enhance U.S. leadership in AI technology, reduce regulatory barriers, and promote the export of American AI technologies globally.

The long-awaited AI Action Plan was initially called for in a January 23, 2025 E.O, one of the first issued by Trump when he took office earlier this year. In that E.O., the president directed members of his administration to submit the plan within 180 days and to begin rescinding all AI policies associated with the previous administration.

The AI Action Plan is rooted in three pillars: (I) accelerate AI innovation; (II) build American AI infrastructure; and (III) lead in international AI diplomacy and security. The Plan identifies specific actions that will be taken to support each pillar.

The first pillar calls for the elimination of “onerous” regulations put in place by the previous administration that were intended to mitigate the risks AI posed to the American people. This pillar also details the administration’s plan to protect free speech in order to rid AI of “social engineering agendas.” As another means to increase AI innovation, the Plan calls for a “try-first culture” to rid American businesses of the distrust or lack of understanding of the technology. To accomplish this, the Plan recommends establishing “AI Centers of Excellence” to test AI tools and openly share data and results to the public, among other recommendations aimed at educating the American people.

The second pillar focuses on expanding America’s energy generation capacity. To that end, the Plan calls for a streamlined permitting system, upgrades to the electric grid, restoration of American semiconductor manufacturing, and other actions intended to improve and secure America’s future AI infrastructure.

The third and final pillar seeks to promote America’s AI capabilities abroad and establish America as a global leader in the technology. In addition to exporting AI technology to allies, the pillar calls for actions to prevent foreign adversaries from accessing American AI products.

To accomplish the goals of the Plan, each of the three E.O.s directs agencies to take specific action to further the Trump administration’s AI Agenda.

The first E.O., “Preventing Woke AI in the Federal Government,” directs members of his administration to issue guidance for the procurement of large language models (a generative AI model) that are “truth-seeking” and ideologically neutral.

The second E.O., “Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure,” calls on the Secretary of Commerce to launch an initiative to provide financial support for AI data centers. This E.O. also directs the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency to assist in expediting permitting for the purpose of developing these data centers and requires the Department of the Interior and the Department of Energy to make federal lands available when appropriate.

The third and final E.O., “Promoting the Export of the American AI Technology Stack,” calls for the establishment of the American AI Exports Program. The purpose of the program is to “support the development and deployment of [U.S.] full-stack AI export packages.” To kickstart this program, Trump has ordered the Secretary of Commerce to issue a public call to the industry for package proposals. The E.O. further requires for the mobilization of federal financial, technical, and diplomatic tools to support the deployment of the AI export packages.

The Trump Administration’s most recent actions signify a significant shift in U.S. policy on AI, aiming to bolster American leadership in the technology while reducing regulatory constraints. Businesses in the AI sector should assess these changes carefully to capitalize on new opportunities and ensure compliance with evolving standards.

For further information or specific legal advice, contact Lewis Brisbois’Artificial Intelligence Task Force page.

Author:

Rebecca Wiley, Associate

Editor:

Sean P. Shecter, Partner