Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology

Artificial intelligence is transforming how the U.S. government approaches economic growth, national security, and technological leadership. In July 2025, the Trump Administration unveiled America’s AI Action Plan, a strategic framework aimed at accelerating innovation, strengthening AI infrastructure, and maintaining global competitiveness in emerging technologies.

Federal AI Strategy and Deregulation

The AI Action Plan is built on three pillars: accelerating AI innovation, building American AI infrastructure, and leading in international diplomacy and security. It advocates for reducing regulatory barriers to foster rapid AI development, promoting “ideologically neutral” AI systems, and centralizing federal standards over fragmented state regulation. Workforce development is a key focus, with initiatives designed to equip Americans with skills needed for AI-driven jobs.

Infrastructure and Semiconductors

A cornerstone of the plan is expanding critical infrastructure, including new data centers and domestic semiconductor manufacturing to meet AI’s computational demands. This emphasis on semiconductors highlights their importance beyond AI, touching on national security and economic resilience, as described in Why America’s National Security Council Obsesses Over Microchips. Export controls on advanced chips also play a role in protecting U.S. technological advantage.

AI Applications and Policy Challenges

AI’s integration into defense is exemplified by initiatives like Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2), which seeks to revolutionize military operations through AI-enhanced connectivity (The Pentagon’s Gamble: How JADC2 Aims to Revolutionize Modern Warfare). Concurrently, ethical considerations guide these efforts, balancing AI’s power with responsible use (The Pentagon’s Effort to Balance AI Power and Principles). Privacy concerns arise particularly from surveillance technologies like facial recognition, underscoring the need for transparency and safeguards (Facial Recognition Technology: How It Works, Where It’s Used, and What It Means for Privacy).