Trump Releases AI Action Plan Focused on Speed, Scale, and Global Competition

On July 23, the Trump administration unveiled its long-awaited AI strategy, “Winning the Race: America’s AI Action Plan,” during a summit in Washington, D.C. The document outlines more than 90 policy recommendations aimed at expanding U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence.

Key components of the plan include:

• Accelerating the construction of data centers and AI infrastructure

• Promoting federal adoption of AI systems

• Reducing regulatory barriers to AI deployment

• Supporting the export of the full U.S. AI stack—chips, models, and services—to allied countries

The plan takes a strong pro-growth stance, favoring rapid AI development and deployment over strict regulatory oversight.

A Pivot Toward Open-Source AI

A standout feature of the plan is its support for open-source and open-weight AI models. These models are freely available for adaptation and use, enabling broader access for developers and researchers. While this approach may foster innovation, it also raises concerns about misuse—particularly for applications like deepfakes or bioweapon development.

Security Measures and Gaps

The plan emphasizes the need to protect U.S. AI assets from foreign threats, especially intellectual property theft. However, specifics on implementation remain vague. Measures like threat intelligence sharing and secure development incentives are mentioned but not yet defined.

National security risks from frontier AI models are acknowledged, but there is still no clear protocol for action when a model is deemed too dangerous to release.

Federal Initiatives and Infrastructure Investment

The action plan affirms support for initiatives like the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR) pilot program, designed to expand research access to AI compute and tools. It also recommends forming a virtual AI testing ground for the Department of Defense and launching regional AI Centers of Excellence.

However, these proposals come amid broader administration efforts to cut science and research funding, raising questions about long-term feasibility.

Geopolitical Positioning and Diplomatic Contradictions

Internationally, the plan positions AI as a key front in geopolitical competition with China. It calls for leveraging the U.S. role in international standards bodies to counter what it describes as “authoritarian influence.”

At the same time, recent policy decisions—such as allowing Nvidia to sell advanced chips to China—appear at odds with the plan’s emphasis on stringent export controls.

Strategic Continuity with a Different Tone

Despite sharp rhetoric, many elements of the Trump plan echo the Biden administration’s earlier AI strategy. This includes industrial policy initiatives, infrastructure funding, and public-private partnerships. The tone, however, is more confrontational and less focused on democratic values or civil rights.

Overall, the action plan signals an aggressive acceleration of AI deployment and competition, with significant implications for technology policy, security, and international alignment. Whether these initiatives will be funded and executed remains to be seen.

And China reacts..

Just days after the U.S. unveiled its roadmap, China released a global action plan of its own. Premier Li Qiang proposed the creation of an international body to coordinate AI development, emphasizing multilateral cooperation.

Analysts say the two nations are now forming competing AI blocs—one centered on U.S. leadership and deregulatory momentum, the other on China’s push for a coordinated global approach. +

Trump’s aggressive stance may further motivate Beijing to accelerate its strategy for technological self-reliance and reduce dependence on Western technologies. The dual announcements highlight a growing global divide in AI governance and development priorities.

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