AI
“ THE WHITE HOUSE AI ACTION PLAN WAS WRITTEN BY AND FOR TECH BILLIONAIRES AND WILL NOT SERVE THE INTERESTS OF THE BROADER PUBLIC”
SARAH MYERS WEST, CO-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AI NOW INSTITUTE
If AI is a strategic technology like nuclear weapons, then regulation becomes a matter of geopolitical competition rather than consumer protection.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration’ s approach prioritises speed and scale over safety and social concerns by removing regulatory barriers and emphasising American competitiveness.
Whether this succeeds will depend partly on whether other countries follow suit or maintain different priorities.
The battle for AI supremacy revealing democracy’ s limits On a deeper level, what’ s stark about the divergence between US and EU approaches to AI governance, is it shows a polar opposite approach by leading nations to a global problem.
Europe’ s emphasis on transparency, safety and fundamental rights stems from hard-learned lessons about how powerful technologies can be misused. Yet the American approach under
President Trump prioritises innovation and competition, showing traditional faith in market mechanisms and concerns about regulatory burden.
These competing visions create practical challenges for global technology and AI companies independently and working together.
More than 40 major European businesses have already asked for delays in implementing the AI Act, citing concerns about competitive disadvantage.
Meanwhile critics of President Trump’ s approach warn about the risks of deregulation.
Sarah Myers West, Co-Executive Director at AI Now Institute argues that“ the White House AI Action plan was written by and for tech billionaires and will not serve the interests of the broader public.”
She adds:“ The administration’ s stance prioritises corporate interests over the needs of everyday people who are all already being affected by AI.”
158 September 2025