AI policy in the United States may face significant changes if Donald Trump returns to the presidency, according to industry experts. Under President Biden, efforts have been made to establish a concrete AI framework, but experts indicate that these may soon be overturned in favor of a more industry-driven approach.

Joel Meyer, Domino Labs public sector president, anticipates a swift repeal of Biden’s 2023 executive order on AI, should Trump take office. While Trump’s team has vocalized intentions to discard the existing AI executive order, certain elements, like the AI Safety Institute within NIST, might persist due to industry support.

Former SAP director Inna Tokarev Sela speculates that the Trump administration might adopt a hands-off regulatory stance, allowing market forces to dictate AI standards. This approach contrasts with the EU’s more stringent AI regulations, suggesting a divergence between global AI governance strategies.

Despite criticisms of Biden’s pace in regulating AI, some of his actions have achieved bipartisan support, particularly regarding national security aspects encompassed in memoranda involving AI’s role in energy, chip production, and export controls.

Experts remain divided on the potential effectiveness of a Trump-led AI policy. While some foresee benefits for smaller tech companies, others caution that relinquishing federal leadership on AI could lead to inconsistent management of AI risks across different industry segments.

At the state level, proactive measures may arise to counterbalance federal action or inaction. For example, California’s regulatory attempts might expand into AI policy if Trump eases federal oversight.

The potential shift in AI policy under Trump’s leadership emphasizes the dynamic and often unpredictable nature of AI governance. Industry observers remain attentive to how these policy changes could affect both innovation and regulation.