No ‘woke AI’ in Washington, Trump says as he launches American AI action plan

In a significant move, U.S. President Donald Trump has launched a comprehensive artificial intelligence initiative aimed at transforming the nation into a leading force in AI exports. During a press conference on Wednesday, he signed three executive orders, emphasizing the need to eliminate what he refers to as 'woke AI' from federal practices. Central to this initiative is the newly established directive titled 'PREVENTING WOKE AI IN THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.' This order asserts that the federal government's responsibility includes avoiding the procurement of AI models that compromise truthfulness and accuracy in favor of ideological biases. The Trump administration has identified Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives as particularly problematic, labeling them as one of the 'most pervasive and destructive' ideologies that should be excluded from government-used AI models. The order stipulates that large language models (LLMs) must serve as neutral, nonpartisan tools, free from ideological manipulation unless prompted by user input. Recognizing the growing importance of AI in the daily lives of Americans, the executive order stresses the necessity for AI outputs that are reliable and accurate. The administration argues that incorporating DEI into AI can lead to biased outcomes and distortions concerning race and gender, referencing past instances where AI-generated images inaccurately represented historical figures. In response to controversy over its AI tools, Google previously removed its Gemini AI image generation feature due to inaccuracies in historical depictions. Following this, the company released an upgraded version. The administration's stance is clear: instead of promoting 'woke AI,' the government should focus on acquiring 'truth-seeking' AI technologies that prioritize historical accuracy and objective scientific inquiry. However, the order also cautions against excessive government regulation of AI in the private sector. Additionally, on the same day, the Trump administration announced measures aimed at reducing regulatory burdens on AI innovation and established an 'American AI Exports Program' to bolster U.S. AI technology abroad. These actions are part of a broader strategy titled 'Winning the AI Race: America's AI Action Plan,' which outlines 90 federal policy initiatives designed to accelerate innovation and enhance the nation's infrastructure and global standing in AI.