In a controversial move, the Trump administration has repealed an executive order on artificial intelligence (AI) issued during Joe Biden’s presidency. The Biden-era order, signed in October 2023, had served as a comprehensive framework guiding federal agencies on the responsible use and development of AI technology.
The order established standards across eight key areas, including safety, privacy, equity, consumer and worker support, innovation, competition, American leadership, and government use of AI. It also urged Congress to pass legislation on data privacy and other AI-related matters and set specific policy directives for federal agencies.
One of the order’s cornerstone initiatives was the establishment of testing standards for AI systems to address risks such as cybersecurity. However, the 2024 Republican Party platform criticized the order as an impediment to innovation, vowing to overturn it. On Monday night, President Trump followed through, repealing the order among his first executive actions.
While the administration has yet to announce a replacement policy, experts predict a shift toward a more deregulated, “pro-innovation” approach. During his first term, Trump signed two executive orders promoting AI research and ensuring safe government use of the technology.
The Biden order had a significant impact on federal AI adoption, with reported use cases more than doubling by the end of 2024 to over 1,700, compared to 757 the previous year. Major initiatives under the order included the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR), which supports AI research infrastructure; the AI Safety Institute (AISI), which provided guidelines to mitigate risks associated with AI misuse; and the National Security Memorandum (NSM), which outlined measures for the intelligence community to advance trustworthy AI.
Critics of the repeal argue it undermines progress toward responsible AI innovation. Alexandra Reeve Givens, CEO of the Center for Democracy and Technology, highlighted the bipartisan support the order had garnered. “The Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence took a whole-of-government approach to advancing responsible AI innovation. Since its passage, agencies have invested significant time into developing guidance for various sectors to support AI adoption while respecting people’s rights and safety,” she said in a statement.
The Trump administration’s decision to revoke the order has reignited discussions about the balance between fostering innovation and ensuring responsible AI development. Notably, a separate AI-related executive order signed by Biden last week—focused on addressing AI’s growing energy demands—remains in effect, tasking the Departments of Defense and Energy with leasing federal sites for clean energy-powered AI infrastructure.
As the administration charts its course on AI policy, the move signals a departure from the regulatory framework of the Biden administration and raises questions about the future of federal AI governance.
