As the second Trump administration begins to implement its agenda, the White House is setting a new course for AI policy. During a panel discussion hosted by Venable, technology policy professionals outlined the administration’s priorities, highlighting a shift toward fostering innovation while reducing regulatory barriers.
The first indication of a change in focus are Trump administration appointments. Venture capitalist David Sacks has been named the “White House AI and crypto czar,” signaling a deregulatory approach to AI governance. Technology industry veteran Sriram Krishnan has been tapped as a senior policy advisor, emphasizing the role of private-sector collaboration. Vice President JD Vance has also emerged as a key voice in international AI discussions, promoting American leadership in global AI development.
“This administration is focused on unleashing AI’s economic potential while ensuring national security,” said Heather West, Venable’s senior director of cybersecurity and privacy services.
The new administration’s strategy contrasts with the Biden administration’s AI policies, which centered on ethical considerations, risk mitigation, and regulatory oversight. Michael Kratsios, returning to government as the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (and formerly the Chief Technology Officer in the previous Trump administration), and is expected to reinforce a market-driven approach to AI regulation. Within weeks of taking office, President Trump revoked former President Biden’s executive order on AI governance, setting the stage for a new federal AI Action Plan to be released by July and informed by public comment and engagement.
Congressional AI Policy Debate Continues
While the administration moves toward deregulation, Congress remains divided on AI policy. Lawmakers are considering multiple approaches, ranging from sector-specific guidelines to broader regulatory frameworks. The bipartisan House AI Task Force’s December 2024 report underscored a shift toward promoting innovation over restrictive oversight. “There is a clear effort to ensure that AI development in the U.S. is not hindered by premature regulation,” said Rich Ward, a senior policy advisor at Venable.
States, however, are aiming to take the lead on AI governance and risk management regulations. Colorado recently passed a law requiring risk assessments for high-impact AI systems, while Texas introduced a comprehensive AI regulatory framework. California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have imposed strict safety measures on advanced AI models, reflecting concerns about stifling innovation. “States are moving ahead with their own rules, which could lead to a fragmented regulatory landscape,” noted Davis Hake, a senior director for cybersecurity services at Venable.
AI Inventorship and Fostering Innovation
Partner Justin Pierce, a co-chair of Venable’s intellectual property division noted that while the administration is still in the early stages of defining its AI and IP policy, there is a clear emphasis on fostering American innovation and reducing regulatory constraints. “One thing you definitely see is this push towards making sure we don’t do things in a regulatory sense that hold back innovation,” Pierce said.
One of the most pressing debates centers around AI inventorship—whether an AI system can be listed as an inventor on a patent. Courts and the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) have consistently ruled that only humans can hold inventorship rights, a stance that Pierce suggests will likely remain unchanged under the current administration.
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