On Wednesday, the White House released a 23-page artificial intelligence strategy document, "Winning the Race: America's AI Action Plan," outlining the administration's approach to AI development, adoption, and regulation across federal agencies. The plan focused in large part on rapid AI integration within government operations, particularly in defense, while prioritizing eliminating barriers to AI development.

The plan encourages all federal agencies to revise and repeal any rules, regulations, agreements, or administrative orders "that unnecessarily hinder AI development or deployment." Furthermore, it advocates for the creation of open models allowing "access to large-scale computing power for start-ups and academics" with a focus on scientific research. All this must be done while "maintaining respect for individual rights and ensuring civil liberties, privacy, and confidentiality protections," per the plan.

The plan, which cites China as a key rival, acknowledges that "AI will require new infrastructure—factories to produce chips, data centers to run those chips, and new sources of energy to power it all," and posits that "America's environmental permitting system and other regulations make it almost impossible to build this infrastructure in the United States with the speed that is required." The document also supported international cooperation in AI development, provided it "aligns with American values."

A major concern of publishers, the protection of intellectual property and copyright, was mentioned just once, in the plan's acknowledgement that it is "essential for the U.S. government to effectively address security risks to American AI companies, talent, intellectual property, and systems."

Trump calls adhering to copyright 'not doable'

That acknowledgement was called into question later in the afternoon on Wednesday, in what appeared to be unscripted statements made by President Donald Trump at the "Winning the AI Race" summit hosted by the All-In podcast and the Hill and Valley Forum in Washington, D.C., in which he characterized copyright as an obstacle to rapid development of AI. After calling AI something that "just popped out of the air," Trump said that the "common-sense" application of "artificial and intellectual property rules" will be required for the U.S. to be "successful" in the AI arms race.

"You can’t be expected to have a successful AI program when every single article, book, or anything else that you’ve read or studied, you’re supposed to pay for. 'Gee, I read a book,' you're supposed to pay somebody," Trump said. "We appreciate that, but you just can’t do it, because it’s not doable. And if you're going to try and do that, you're not going to have a successful program."

In elaborating, Trump compared training AI models on copyrighted material to human beings reading a text. "When a person reads a book or an article, you’ve gained great knowledge. That does not mean that you’re violating copyright laws or have to make deals with every content provider. You just can’t do it. China’s not doing it.... When you have something, when you read something and it goes into this vast intelligence machine, we'll call it, you cannot expect—every time, every single time—to say, 'Oh, lets pay this one that much, let's just pay this one.' It just doesn't work that way. You can't copy or plagiarize an article. But if you read an article and learn from it, we have to allow AI to use that pool of knowledge without going through the complexity of contract negotiations, of which there would be thousands for every time we use AI."

Trump added that there needs to be "a single federal standard" governing the the use of copyrighted materials for AI rather than leaving it up to the states to regulate the technology. He concluded by admitting that he was told that his position on copyright was likely to be "unpopular," but he ignored the warnings in favor of championing the AI industry—a statement that drew applause. Administration officials later sought to clarify Trump's statements, telling Politico that administration felt courts should be left decide the legality of the matter.

At the same summit, Trump signed a trio of executive orders, including one intending to expedite construction of AI infrastructure projects. The second allows the export of AI chips and other hardware and software, and the third prevents the federal government from acquiring AI technology "that has been infused with partisan bias or ideological agendas."

Senate bill proposes 'opt-in' legislation

Trump's comments come on the heels of the introduction, by U.S. senators Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), of the AI Accountability and Personal Data Protection Act this past Monday following a hearing last week on AI companies' copyright infringement. The bipartisan legislation aims to hold AI firms liable for using copyrighted works or personal data without acquiring explicit consent to train AI models. It would empower individuals—including writers, artists, and content creators—to sue companies in federal court if their data or copyrighted works are used without consent. It also supports class action lawsuits and advocates for violators to pay robust penalties.

"AI companies are robbing the American people blind while leaving artists, writers, and other creators with zero recourse," said Hawley. "It’s time for Congress to give the American worker their day in court to protect their personal data and creative works. My bipartisan legislation would finally empower working Americans who now find their livelihoods in the crosshairs of Big Tech’s lawlessness."

"This bill embodies a bipartisan consensus that AI safeguards are urgent—because the technology is moving at accelerating speed, and so are dangers to privacy," added Blumenthal. "Enforceable rules can put consumers back in control of their data, and help bar abuses. Tech companies must be held accountable—and liable legally—when they breach consumer privacy, collecting, monetizing or sharing personal information without express consent. Consumers must be given rights and remedies—and legal tools to make them real—not relying on government enforcement alone."

AAP encourages vigilance

Prior to Trump's comments about copyright at Wednesday's summit, the Association of American Publishers initially responded positively to aspects of the White House's action plan.

"We appreciate the Administration’s leadership in formulating this Action Plan as to U.S. and global interests and for its stakeholder engagement during the past few months," said AAP president and CEO Maria A. Pallante in a statement, noting that her organization had engaged with the administration during the drafting process. "No one paying attention can deny that AI is a paradox, both a promising technology for good and a serious threat to global security. We agree that the United States must be deeply, wisely, and globally engaged—not only to explore positive aspects of the technology, but also to protect democracies over autocracies and to ensure that we protect American values and the fundamental rights that underpin our society and economy."

The AAP underscored that the action plan does not diminish copyright protections, as some technology companies had advocated, but also emphasized the the publishing industry must remain vigilant and engaged, particularly with regard to the used of academic and scientific research in AI. "In the months ahead, we look forward to working further with the Administration on AI and IP," Pallante added. "We know that high quality AI depends upon high quality authorship, including literature and research publications, which makes robust copyright protection and marketplace licensing even more essential to protecting and promoting U.S. interests and values."