Donald Trump’s recent AI summit in Washington marked a pivotal shift in the United States’ approach to artificial intelligence, signaling a win for major tech companies. At the center of the event was the president’s unveiling of an “AI action plan” designed to dismantle federal regulations and fast-track AI development, export, and infrastructure expansion.
The core of this plan lies in three executive orders. The first takes aim at what is described as “ideological dogmas” in AI development, targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements. Companies receiving federal funds will now be expected to ensure their AI models are free from such influences. The remaining orders focus squarely on deregulation promoting AI exports globally and expediting permits for energy-intensive data centers by relaxing environmental rules.
For Silicon Valley and tech giants, this policy pivot represents a substantial victory. Over the past year, companies like Alphabet, Meta, and Nvidia have invested heavily in lobbying efforts and cultivated close ties with the administration. These relationships have paid off, as the federal government adopts a more hands-off approach that aligns with the industry’s demand for fewer constraints and faster innovation cycles.
This deregulation push comes amid record lobbying expenditures from the tech sector. In 2025 alone, the eight largest technology companies collectively spent $36 million to influence policy. Meta led the pack in spending, while Nvidia and OpenAI dramatically increased their lobbying budgets compared to the previous year.
While tech leaders and pro-business advocates are celebrating the shift as a catalyst for growth and innovation, critics argue it gives unchecked power to monopolistic companies. In response to the AI summit, over 100 advocacy groups issued a counter-proposal calling for stronger safeguards to protect civil liberties, the environment, and labor rights. They warned that allowing corporations to shape AI rules could undermine democratic values and social equity.
As the U.S. pivots from regulation to deregulation in the name of global competitiveness, the landscape of AI development is set to become increasingly dominated by corporate interests leaving critical questions around ethics, accountability, and public benefit largely unanswered.
