“Whoever becomes the leader in this sphere will become the ruler of the world.” — Vladimir Putin

Donald Trump’s approach to artificial intelligence (AI) is using a world-defining technology like a prop for culture war. By prioritizing deregulation, speed of development and viral AI “memes” to score political points over responsibility and the law, the U.S. could be speeding toward chaos in no time. Success in AI gives America the chance to shape what the world will look like in the future, but without a framework to manage AI’s risks, this success could come at a high cost.

Artificial intelligence is set to change the world as we know it across all aspects of society including healthcare, national security and employment. Some experts warn that AI could eliminate 50% of all entry-level white-collar jobs within the next 5 years. 

The AI revolution is being framed by the Trump administration as a race between the superpowers of the U.S. and China that will determine who leads the world into the future. Trump’s key stance is simple: America must win. According to the official White House website, “Winning the AI race will usher in a new golden age of human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security for the American people.” Trump’s approach marks a decisive shift in U.S. policy: Where the Biden administration stressed ethical safeguards and global cooperation, Trump is focused on American dominance and fast-paced innovation. 

By “American AI,” the administration refers to the U.S.-developed AI systems, data centers and algorithms designed, funded or hosted by U.S. companies. The policy removes regulations in order to fast-track a massive expansion of new data centers and the export of American AI globally. 

This is a complete U-turn from the Biden-era AI policy, which focused on balancing the potential benefits of AI with the societal and environmental impact it will have. In 2023, Biden signed an executive order requiring companies developing large-scale AI models to rigorously test their safety and security and share results with the federal government before models could be released to the public, as well as mandating federal agencies to implement AI risk frameworks. On his first day in office, Trump explicitly overturned this order before issuing a series of his own, directing agencies to revise or rescind actions that were seen to hinder AI innovation. 

Winning the AI race may usher in a new era of American dominance, but not if it comes without a legal framework to protect those who will be impacted. Misinformation is a key concern. There have been significant improvements in generative AI in a short timeframe. Only last year, AI-generated content was easy to detect, but many photos and videos produced now are nearly indistinguishable from reality.

This presents a new political challenge. According to a YouGov poll, 58% of Americans are very concerned about misinformation being spread through AI, while over half fear it will be used for political propaganda.

Instead of easing these anxieties, the Trump administration appears to be stoking the flames. By posting deepfake videos ranging from “Trump Gaza,” a video depicting the war-torn Gaza Strip as a Dubai-style paradise featuring golden statues of Trump, to another showing him dropping what appeared to be feces on the heads of protestors, this administration is undermining the office of the presidency, along with any effort to treat generative AI as the serious issue it is.

The AI race presents a huge opportunity to ensure American superiority in technology, defense and finance. However, it will transform the world in ways we cannot yet fully understand, and winning this race is not enough. In order to secure America’s future, the Trump administration must acknowledge the seriousness of this challenge and work to implement a legal AI framework. AI memes may play well with the MAGA voting base, but AI-driven disruption and unemployment will not. Simply put, the White House should stop posting and start legislating.

A version of this article appeared on p.15 of the October 30, 2025 edition of the Daily Nexus.