President Joe Biden made a big statement on Jan. 14, by signing an executive order on artificial intelligence. The order aims to make the infrastructure needed for advanced AI operations such as large-scale data centers and new clean power facilities readily available, in addition to making sure that they can be built quickly and at scale in the United States.
In a statement, Biden said AI will have “profound implications for national security and enormous potential to improve Americans’ lives if harnessed responsibly, from helping cure disease to keeping communities safe by mitigating the effects of climate change.”
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The executive order tells federal agencies to speed up the development of big AI systems at government sites, while also setting rules and protections for the developers working there.
It also reportedly directs certain agencies to make federal sites available for AI data centers and new clean power facilities. It is being reported that those agencies will help facilitate the infrastructure’s interconnection to the electric grid and help speed up the permitting process.
“However, we cannot take our lead for granted,” the democratic president said. “We will not let America be out-built when it comes to the technology that will define the future, nor should we sacrifice critical environmental standards and our shared efforts to protect clean air and clean water.”
This is not Biden’s first executive order on AI — in 2023, Biden signed an executive order aimed at ensuring that AI technologies are developed responsibly. This order directs federal agencies to accelerate AI infrastructure development while also imposing safeguards to prevent risks like bias, privacy violations, and security threats.
The same year, Biden recognized the strategic importance of AI, particularly in national security. In 2023, the Biden administration released a national security strategy that highlighted the need for the U.S. to maintain leadership in AI and other emerging technologies, both for economic and defense purposes.
Biden has made AI a priority in the context of economic policy, stressing the need for the U.S. to remain competitive globally, especially with China, which is also investing heavily in AI. Biden’s administration has supported research funding for AI, workforce training, and initiatives to ensure the U.S. leads in AI innovation.
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Recognizing that AI can have significant economic and workforce impacts, Biden’s administration has worked on policies to support workers who might be displaced by automation. The goal is to ensure that AI development doesn’t lead to increased inequality or job loss without support for affected individuals.
Biden’s AI approach includes working with international partners to set global standards for AI development. This includes collaboration with allies to create frameworks for ethical AI use, promoting transparency, and ensuring AI doesn’t exacerbate harmful practices.
Biden’s history with AI centers around his efforts to foster innovation while addressing the challenges it presents. As president, Biden has focused on promoting AI development in a way that is safe, ethical, and aligned with democratic values.
However, only time will tell if his latest action might be undone by President-elect Donald Trump after his inauguration in January, 2025.