US President Donald Trump has revoked a Biden-era executive order which aimed to implement rules around the development of artificial intelligence.

The rescinding of the AI safety measures on Monday was among the sweeping changes Trump introduced on his first day back in the Oval Office.

Biden's AI safety measures scrapped

Former US President Joe Biden signed the EO in 2023 to “strengthen AI safety and security”.

The order required developers to perform safety tests of AI systems that posed a risk to national security, public health & safety, and the economy, and to share the test results with the US government.

Federal agencies were directed to formulate the testing standards that would help identify biological, chemical, military and cybersecurity threats arising from the nascent technology.

To realise the promise of AI and avoid the risk, we need to govern this technology,” Biden said.

“In the wrong hands, AI can make it easier for hackers to exploit vulnerabilities in the software that makes our society run.”

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Removing barriers to AI innovation

Trump repealed the AI safety mandate in line with the Republican Party’s stance on innovation. The party believes the reversal of Biden’s EO gives companies free rein to build powerful AI solutions.

“Republicans support AI development rooted in free speech and human flourishing,” the party said.

Trump called his predecessor’s rules around AI “dangerous,” despite the fact that Trump himself signed two similar EOs on AI development and adoption during his first term.

Trump’s first mandate on AI, signed in 2019, introduced the American Artificial Intelligence Initiative, a national strategy for “promoting American leadership in AI”.

The EO aimed to allocate government resources to research & development and the training of an AI-ready workforce, and to “remove barriers” to innovation.

The second EO, signed a year later, promoted the use of “trustworthy” AI in the federal government.

“The ongoing adoption and acceptance of AI will depend significantly on public trust. Agencies must therefore design, develop, acquire, and use AI in a manner that fosters public trust and confidence while protecting privacy, civil rights, civil liberties, and American values,” the Trump administration said.

The impact of a 'careless or hasty repeal'

Experts from the Centre for AI Policy believe the previous administration’s focus on “defining best practices” for the tech industry would be supplanted by Trump’s views on “promoting American competitiveness” in the global AI arms race.

“Trump’s allies in the technology sector have primarily supported this direction, arguing that reducing regulatory barriers will accelerate innovation,” the CAIP said.

“While there is certainly room to improve on the Biden AI executive order, a careless or hasty repeal could negatively affect the consistency and rigour of safety testing across the AI industry,” the group said.

A laissez-faire approach would thus take precedence over safety and accountability.

“Industry self-regulation through ad hoc voluntary commitments could become the primary governance mechanism, replacing the Biden administration’s government-led search for consensus-based best practices,” the CAIP said.

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Tech CEOs and the 'golden age of American innovation'

A number of tech CEOs have been vocal about their willingness to work with Trump to ensure the US remains an AI superpower.

“We are in a golden age of American innovation and are committed to working with his administration to help bring the benefits to everyone,” Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai said.

Meanwhile, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman – who donated US$1 million to Trump after his second presidential win – echoed sentiments similar to the Republican Party’s: “It is critically important that the US maintains its lead in developing AI with democratic values.”

AI misuse and misinformation

Bhasker Gupta, founder and CEO of Bangalore-based AI resource centre AIM, posed an all-important question. “Removing Biden’s AI policies could unleash unprecedented innovation, but at what cost?” he said.

“Trump’s laissez-faire approach could fast-track public offerings for major AI firms like OpenAI, unlock unprecedented investments, and accelerate AI deployment.

“[But] while Trump’s deregulation promises could spur short-term economic growth and innovation, the lack of guardrails may amplify risks tied to misinformation, misuse, and societal impact,” Gupta said.

“Balancing innovation with safety will be critical in shaping the future of AI under the Trump administration. The world is watching.”