The 2024 U.S. presidential election outcome indicates a significant change in the country’s approach to artificial intelligence regulation and development. According to an analysis by Gary Grossman, Executive Vice President at Edelman and global lead of the Edelman AI Center of Excellence, the victory of President-elect Donald Trump marks a turn toward accelerationist policies in AI development.
The incoming administration’s platform emphasizes deregulation and opposes existing AI-related executive orders, prioritizing rapid innovation over cautionary approaches. The appointment of technology entrepreneur David Sacks as “AI czar” further reinforces this direction, as Sacks has been openly critical of AI regulation and advocates for market-driven innovation.
The shift comes amid an ongoing debate between AI accelerationists, who push for rapid development with minimal oversight, and those advocating for careful regulation. This debate intensified following ChatGPT’s launch in November 2022, leading to a March 2023 open letter signed by over 33,000 technology leaders calling for a pause in advanced AI development.
Grossman notes that while voters may not have consciously considered AI policy implications, the election results effectively empower the accelerationist viewpoint. This could potentially marginalize voices calling for stronger government oversight of AI development risks.
His article highlights potential consequences of this shift, including increased reliance on voluntary industry self-regulation. Some states, including California and Colorado, have implemented their own AI regulations, which may serve as alternative oversight mechanisms in the absence of federal controls.
Grossman expresses concern about the increased risks, adjusting his probability assessment of catastrophic AI outcomes from 5% to 10% in light of the expected policy changes.