President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued a sweeping executive order requiring technology companies seeking federal contracts to certify that their AI systems are free from “woke” bias. The move dramatically alters the landscape for government AI procurement, centering on what the administration calls “truthfulness and ideological neutrality” in artificial intelligence models.
Under the order, federal agencies are prohibited from contracting with vendors whose AI systems exhibit what the White House describes as partisan or ideological slant, including support for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) frameworks. The directive specifically targets large language models (LLMs), stating that government-used AI must serve as “neutral, nonpartisan instruments” and avoid “skew[ing] responses in favor of ideological doctrines such as DEI”.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB), in collaboration with other agencies, is tasked with drafting guidelines within 90 days to standardize implementation across the federal government. Compliance with “unbiased AI principles” will be written into government contracts, with potential penalties for violations.
Key Policies and Industry Response
Trump’s executive order is part of a broader AI Action Plan unveiled alongside two other orders speeding up data center permitting and promoting AI exports to U.S. allies. The plan aims to position the U.S. as a global AI powerhouse, advancing American technology while pushing back on what the administration calls “social engineering agendas”.
Notable elements of the order and action plan include:
- Mandated Neutrality: Only AI systems that are “truthful and ideologically neutral” can be procured by federal agencies.
- Exclusion of DEI and Related Concepts: AI models promoting DEI, climate change, or misinformation mitigation initiatives are specifically prohibited in federal use.
- Streamlined Innovation: The AI Action Plan promises to eliminate regulatory obstacles, accelerate data infrastructure buildout, and boost AI exports to select foreign partners.
- Broader National Security Goals: Restrictions also seek to keep sensitive AI technologies out of adversary hands, reinforcing U.S. dominance in the sector.
The initiative has drawn sharp criticism from political opponents and civil rights advocates. Critics allege that the approach politicizes emerging technologies and imposes vague content standards on an industry still grappling with complex questions about AI bias, safety, and accountability. Some Democrats and technology experts also express concern that the order could stifle diversity initiatives in government and hinder efforts to reduce discriminatory AI outcomes.
Industry analysts point out that compliance could be difficult, as leading AI models are often trained on vast internet datasets that inherently reflect societal biases. AI companies will now face new scrutiny—and likely legal challenges—over how they define and document “ideological neutrality”.
The Trump administration maintains that these measures are necessary to keep federal AI systems reliable and to “reestablish America’s leadership in the AI race.” The OMB and other agencies are expected to clarify the technical compliance requirements and enforcement mechanisms later this year.
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