EPIC Condemns Removal of AI Executive Order Safeguards

On January 23, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order overturning the Biden Executive Order on safe AI development and use and calling on agencies to undo any policies or procedures complying with the order. This move is emblematic of the all-gas, no-brakes approach to AI supported by the tech leaders close to the President.

It is also irresponsible.

The justification that any safety measures stifle innovation is only true if AI developers are fundamentally non-innovative. There is no evidence that basic transparency, reporting, and risk acknowledgement has stifled the rampant spread of AI. There is extensive evidence that existing AI is already causing significant harms at an individual, community, and societal level. Removing the common and basic safety and transparency requirements implemented by the previous order with no alternative protections proposed will only exacerbate these harms.

EPIC has consistently called for strong AI safeguards and regulatory protections, including through speaking at state hearings on AI safety, publishing an AI scorecard to evaluate AI bills, putting out multiple reports on generative AI harms, commenting on international approaches to AI regulation, and more. We will continue to do so.