Exclusive: Kratsios details White House AI plans
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The government wants AI to accelerate quickly in the U.S. — and it's about to take the first steps to remove as much red tape as possible, Office of Science and Technology Policy director Michael Kratsios told Axios in an exclusive interview.
Why it matters: Kratsios is at the center of AI policy in the Trump administration, and the White House is laser-focused on reshaping the rules around the technology.
Driving the news: OSTP later this month will ask the public and businesses to weigh in on the federal regulations that they think hold back the development and deployment of AI, Kratsios told Axios.
- This request for information is the first policy action recommended in the White House's AI action plan aimed at removing bureaucratic red tape.
What they're saying: Kratsios said that Europe's comprehensive AI law, the EU AI Act, is "not at all the way the U.S. is approaching this" space.
- The White House is instead backing what he describes as a "use-case and sector-specific" framework.
For example, in health care, there could be regulations that hinder the development of particular medical devices, Kratsios said. Or in finance, there could be regs around algorithmic trading and consumer protection holding AI back.
- Kratsios also applauded Senate Commerce Chair Ted Cruz's recent introduction of legislation that would allow companies to test products in a less-strictly regulated AI "sandbox," or testing zone.
- "Sandboxing, broadly in the world of emerging tech, is something I have been a big proponent of, and the president has supported over the years," Kratsios said.
Catch up quick: Kratsios served as President Trump's chief technology officer during his first term, and then worked for data labeling company Scale AI.
- He said that Trump's commitment to U.S. AI development is key to U.S. economic growth and national security: "He'll go down in history as the greatest champion of this technology."
Kratsios and the Trump administration will need to balance cutting red tape for AI innovation with protecting kids online — it's a precarious time for younger users who may develop dangerous relationships with chatbots.
- "I think the protection of our children is one of the most bipartisan topics when it comes to technology in Washington," Kratsios said.
- "When you look at the intersection of AI and America's youth, this is an area where you see some of the most clear-cut examples of where the line should be drawn."
- Kratsios said he applauds the Federal Trade Commission inquiry launched Thursday into AI chatbots, adding that "it's something we should see more of."
What's next: Kratsios said he's "personally most excited" about the American AI exports program called for in one of Trump's AI executive orders.
- The Commerce Department is tasked with standing up the program and requesting proposals from industry on what a "full-stack technology package" would look like — in other words, an all-in-one American-made AI system from the chips to the software.
- "From there, we're going to try to export that stack around the world to our partners and allies," he said.
What we're watching: With Kratsios steering AI policy, Washington's new playbook is aimed squarely at clearing regulatory burdens, but the administration will have to grapple with growing state-level action.
