Former federal lawyer launches AI Innovation Council as new executive orders aim to speed US lead over China
A new AI policy group is forming just as the administration prepares a fresh round of executive actions to loosen restrictions on the industry. James Burnham, a former top lawyer at the Department of Government Efficiency and a senior Justice Department official in the prior term, is launching the AI Innovation Council to push an "America First" approach to artificial intelligence.
The council's goal: keep the United States ahead of China across economic and military applications. "Artificial intelligence is a revolutionary technology with the potential to make the United States wealthier and greater than it has ever been," Burnham said.
He pointed to the president's early directive this term: "the policy of the United States is to sustain and enhance America's global AI dominance in order to promote human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security."
What the council plans to do
The AI Innovation Council will outline regulatory frameworks and promote growth for US-based AI companies. Its "AI Action Plan," to be promoted by the administration's AI czar David Sacks, centers on expanding exports of American AI technology and accelerating data center buildouts inside the US.
The timing lines up with expected executive orders, including an action intended to curb "woke" models and a broader push to reduce barriers for innovators. The administration recently touted more than $100 billion in private-sector commitments tied to AI and energy.
Why this matters for government professionals
- Federal direction: Expect a clearer federal posture to favor domestic AI development, potentially streamlining approvals and clarifying guardrails for agencies and contractors.
- Preemption watch: The administration may challenge heavy-handed state and local rules. A previously floated moratorium on sub-federal AI regulation was dropped from a recent bill, but preemption could still surface through new actions or guidance.
- Data center siting: Faster data center development could trigger federal involvement on permitting, energy coordination, and environmental reviews-especially where federal lands, transmission, or incentives are involved.
- Procurement and grants: If the "AI Action Plan" advances, agencies may see updates to procurement language, reporting requirements, and performance standards tied to AI systems.
- Workforce readiness: Agencies will need training for acquisition teams, program managers, counsel, and IG staff on model risk, evals, and oversight methods.
- International posture: With an emphasis on exporting US AI, expect guidance on compliance, export controls, and partnerships-particularly for universities and federally funded research.
Policy moves to watch next
- Executive orders: Look for implementation deadlines that push agencies to publish guidance within 30-180 days.
- OMB and OSTP roles: Potential memos on procurement, model evaluation, privacy, and civil rights safeguards.
- State-federal friction: If the administration seeks to limit conflicting state AI rules, anticipate litigation and calls for cooperative frameworks.
- Standards and testing: Possible coordination with NIST or similar bodies on benchmarks, safety cases, and incident reporting.
Key quotes
James Burnham: "Artificial intelligence is a revolutionary technology with the potential to make the United States wealthier and greater than it has ever been."
James Burnham: "The goal isn't just to win the innovation race. It's to help launch America's golden age."
What you can do now
- Inventory existing and proposed AI use cases; flag those that depend on state or local approvals.
- Review acquisition templates and grant language for model documentation, safety testing, privacy, and civil rights protections.
- Coordinate with state partners on overlapping authority to reduce duplicative or conflicting requirements.
- Prepare to comment: identify priorities for your office if the council or agencies seek public input on frameworks.
- Line up training for program, legal, procurement, and oversight staff on model risk and evaluation methods.
- Map data center implications for your region: permitting, interconnection, power planning, and workforce needs.
For updates on federal executive actions, monitor the Executive Orders page on the Federal Register: federalregister.gov/executive-orders.
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