More than ten thousand responses from individuals, organizations, and local governments have poured in to the White House regarding the evolving national AI policy. On Thursday, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy made these submissions public in a PDF document stretching across more than eighteen thousand pages.
The comments encompass a wide spectrum of opinions, ranging from concerns about copyright infringement to the environmental impact of expanding AI data center infrastructure. This public feedback coincides with significant shifts in government AI priorities set in motion by President Donald Trump and his advisors.
Shifting AI Regulatory Goals
Earlier this year, President Trump revoked an executive order from the previous administration that had charged the National Institute of Standards and Technology with developing guidelines for identifying and addressing problems like bias in AI models. Critics linked to the Trump administration maintained that these requirements placed undue burdens on companies and risked exposing confidential business information.
The new directive from President Trump instructs federal agencies to foster AI innovation without ideological influence, and instead focuses on promoting human well-being, competitiveness, and national security. Notably, this updated policy does not address efforts to mitigate AI discrimination, in contrast to the previous administration’s goals.
Among the many comments submitted, some voiced strong concerns that creative professionals are not being fairly compensated for their work used in AI training, calling for stronger copyright protections. Meanwhile, others, including venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, countered that rigid copyright enforcement would hinder technological progress.
Large AI developers such as Google and OpenAI have previously advocated for more flexible rules governing the use of data in AI training. Civic groups and professional associations have also stressed the urgency of federal investment in research, especially in light of recent budget cuts.
Debate has also emerged around economic policies that could directly affect AI growth, with some submissions warning that tariffs on imported infrastructure components might impede domestic AI innovation. Industry groups including the Data Center Coalition have argued that these tariffs would slow needed investment, while the Information Technology Industry Council called for strategic trade policies that safeguard local businesses without causing broader economic harm.
A few comments referenced the hot-button topic of potential “AI censorship,” reflecting concerns among some Trump-aligned figures about perceived bias in popular chatbots. While figures such as Elon Musk have pointed to the challenge of ensuring ideological neutrality in AI systems, experts note that eliminating all bias from these technologies remains extremely difficult.
The administration has intensified its focus on artificial intelligence with appointments meant to reshape national policy. In recent months, the Senate approved Michael Kratsios to lead the OSTP, and Sriram Krishnan was tapped as the senior White House policy advisor on White House AI Action Plan.
