Shortly after his inauguration, President Donald Trump signed a series of executive orders, with one of the most notable being a move to revoke 78 actions taken by the Biden administration. Among the targets was the executive order from October 2023, which outlined important guidelines for artificial intelligence (AI). Trump made it clear that these actions were part of a broader effort to "repair our institutions and our economy," signalling his intention to undo many of Biden's policies.
The executive order itself didn't offer much in the way of explanation for each of the revocations, simply listing the actions that were being reversed. Alongside the AI framework, the order also covered policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic, immigration, climate change, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), all of which are areas that Trump aims to overhaul in the early days of his second presidency.
Biden’s AI executive order was aimed at establishing a clear framework for AI regulation in the US, addressing safety, security, and consumer protection. The guidelines proposed several measures, including AI watermarking, to track the use of AI in various sectors.
There was also an emphasis on protecting civil rights, with the goal of ensuring that AI advancements do not negatively impact vulnerable communities. Additionally, Biden’s order sought to mitigate the economic disruptions caused by AI in the workforce and launched a new federal job portal designed to attract AI talent to government agencies.
Trump’s executive moves on day one
Trump’s executive actions didn’t stop with AI. Another key move was his decision to pull the US out of the Paris climate agreement for a second time.
Trump had originally made this move during his first term, but Biden had rejoined the agreement once in office. With this new executive order, Trump has reversed that decision, signalling his continued opposition to the climate pact.
These early executive orders highlight the stark contrast between Trump’s and Biden’s approaches to major policy issues. From AI regulations to climate change, the revocations underscore the significant shift in the US government’s priorities, with Trump focusing on undoing much of the progress made under his predecessor.
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