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Introduction

Former president Donald Trump’s allies are drafting a sweeping AI executive order that would launch a series of “Manhattan Projects” to develop military technology and immediately review “unnecessary and burdensome regulations.” This signals how a potential second Trump administration may pursue AI policies favorable to Silicon Valley investors and companies.

Industry-Led Agencies

The framework would also create “industry-led” agencies to evaluate AI models and secure systems from foreign adversaries. This presents a markedly different strategy for the booming sector than that of the Biden administration, which last year issued a sweeping executive order that leverages emergency powers to subject the next generation of AI systems to safety testing.

GOP’s AI Platform

In preparation for this week’s Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, the GOP adopted a platform that includes repealing the Biden AI executive order. The GOP is taking that tack amid a broader political realignment in Silicon Valley, where some executives and investors who once embraced former president Barack Obama have come out in support of Trump.

“We will repeal Joe Biden’s dangerous Executive Order that hinders AI Innovation, and imposes Radical Leftwing ideas on the development of this technology,” the GOP platform says. “In its place, Republicans support AI Development rooted in Free Speech and Human Flourishing.”

Potential Benefits for Tech Companies

Greater military investment in AI probably stands to benefit tech companies that already contract with the Pentagon, such as Anduril, Palantir, and Scale. Key executives at those companies have supported Trump and have close ties to the GOP.

Project 2025

The conservative Heritage Foundation has also been drafting potential new AI policies as part of Project 2025, a blueprint for how a potential second Trump term could overhaul the federal government. The Trump campaign has distanced itself from the plan, which includes several policies that aim to spur AI research and development in the United States and limit China’s access to the technology.

Support from Silicon Valley

In the chaotic aftermath of the attempted assassination of Trump, key tech executives and investors — including Tesla CEO Elon Musk and hedge fund manager Bill Ackman — have endorsed Trump for president. Their support is the latest sign that a possible second Trump administration would have a friendlier relationship with the tech industry.

Trump’s Outreach to Tech Investors

Trump has been making greater overtures to Silicon Valley in recent weeks, appearing on the “All-In Podcast,” which is hosted by a group of prominent tech investors, and attending a fundraiser at the home of podcast co-host and former PayPal executive David Sacks. Sacks is scheduled to speak on behalf of Trump at the convention in Milwaukee.

On the podcast, Trump said he had heard from Silicon Valley “geniuses” about the need for more energy to fuel AI development to compete with China.

Conclusion

In an on-air discussion after the interview, the tech investors said Trump needed to surround himself with people who were smart about technologies, including AI and nuclear power. Chamath Palihapitiya, founder of the venture capital firm Social Capital, said Trump’s San Francisco fundraiser showed he enjoys greater support in the tech industry than he had in 2016.

“There are all these people that are coming out of the woodwork,” Palihapitiya said. “If he can figure out how to build a Cabinet with those people — meaning these extremely technical, thoughtful people — then there’s a real shot that you could change it.”

Elizabeth Dwoskin and Nitasha Tiku contributed to this report.