DONALD Trump’s return to the White House could mean “no rules” for AI and major technology, experts have said.
A presidency under Trump could usher in a tech landscape with minimal regulations, creating an environment where innovation thrives but risks loom large.
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A tech analyst also sees driverless cars potentially reaching the streets earlier than planned thanks to Trump’s close relationship with Elon Musk.
The US is currently diving headfirst into the Artificial Intelligence era, trying to balance its massive potential with its lurking risks.
President Biden’s recent executive order sets the tone, mandating rigorous safety tests for advanced AI and risk assessments in sectors like healthcare, finance, and infrastructure.
The government is cracking down on biased algorithms, privacy violations, and any AI antics that might harm consumers.
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Transparency is a big deal too, with new rules aimed at revealing how AI is being used, especially in sensitive areas like law enforcement.
America is investing heavily in AI research, workforce training, and building global partnerships to lead the ethical AI revolution.
It’s a high-stakes game of innovation versus regulation, as the country works to keep the tech safe without stifling creativity.
But a Trump presidency would likely bring a more hands-off approach.
AI analyst Lisa Palmer said Trump’s AI agenda is very clear.
She said: “Trump wants lower regulatory burdens for economic growth, protect free speech from AI-powered censorship, and secure America’s leadership in AI for national security.
“[That is] an approach that champions the American ideals of economic strength, individual liberty, and resilience on the world stage.”
AI-powered America
AI is already a cornerstone of daily life, powering everything from virtual assistants like Alexa to apps that improve navigation, writing, and even sleep habits.
But its rapid integration also raises concerns about privacy, job displacement, and accountability when things go wrong.
Trump’s lighter regulatory approach could fast-track innovation in areas like healthcare, defense, and advanced manufacturing.
Tech analyst Dexter Thillien predicted that under Trump, the US could see a surge in bold AI experimentation.
He told The Sun: “The US has not been a great regulator of AIs. There’s going to be a lower regulatory threshold in America.”
But this hands-off approach might also lead to a rise in challenges like AI-generated misinformation.
Thillien noted: “What you could potentially expect in terms of social media, is to see more deepfakes or AI-generated content.
“You could also expect to see more misinformation and disinformation.
“There’s not going to be any rules or any law to prevent it unless they are put together by the companies themselves under some kind of voluntary agreement.”
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A push for innovation
Trump’s presidency could create an even more encouraging environment for tech companies, giving them the freedom to push boundaries.
Driverless cars, in particular, could hit the streets earlier than anticipated, thanks to Trump’s deregulatory stance.
“There’s going to be a push for states to try to authorize autonomous vehicles, even though the technology might not be as ready as it should be,” Thillien explained.
While advancements in places like Phoenix and San Francisco are promising, scaling this across the U.S. might lead to challenges.
“Other cities with tougher driving conditions could see more accidents going forward,” Thillien warned.
This aligns closely with the interests of Elon Musk, a major ally and supporter of Trump.
Musk has long championed self-driving technology, and under a Trump administration, his companies —Tesla and SpaceX— could face fewer barriers to rolling out new innovations.
David Richards, a political analyst, previously told The Sun that Musk’s close relationship with Trump could offer him significant advantages.
He said: “It is a way for Musk to gain some influence should Trump win the election.
“He can be one of those people who has Trump’s ear which could help his business potentially.
“He will gain an advantage in terms of regulations, in terms of how the government and businesses coexist, and especially his businesses.”
Trump wants lower regulatory burdens for economic growth, protect free speech from AI-powered censorship, and secure America’s leadership in AI for national security
Lisa Palmer
Musk’s alignment with Trump isn’t just about tech—it’s also a strategic move to secure political leverage, Richards said.
By backing Trump, Musk could mitigate regulatory conflicts Tesla has faced in the past and position SpaceX for lucrative government contracts.
This partnership also gives Trump access to Musk’s platforms, including X, where Trump could amplify his message directly to millions, bypassing traditional media channels.
Trump’s return to power promises a bold, fast-tracked approach to AI and technology.
While this strategy might unlock groundbreaking advancements, experts caution against the risks of a minimally regulated environment.
From driverless cars to national defense, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
For Musk, however, the rewards are clear.
With Trump in the White House, he could secure an unprecedented position of influence in shaping the future of American innovation—cementing his legacy as not just a tech mogul, but a political power player.
A boon for crypto
Trump was previously a crypto skeptic, so much so that he called Bitcoin a “scam against the dollar”.
“Bitcoin, it just seems like a scam,” Trump said.
“I don’t like it because it’s another currency competing against the dollar … I want the dollar to be the currency of the world. That’s what I’ve always said.”
However, Trump has changed his mind to embrace the sector during his run for the White House.
He is now a vocal supporter of the industry who made promises to support currency throughout his election campaign.
During his successful campaign, Trump courted the crypto industry and spoke at a Bitcoin conference in July.
The president-elect has also pledged to create a “strategic reserve” of Bitcoin while his campaign accepted donations in cryptocurrency.
Trump pledged that one of his first actions as president would be to sack the current chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Gary Gensler.
Gensler has been widely unpopular among crypto companies for his tight regulations.
He led the SEC’s crackdown on the crypto industry as the Biden administration sought to rein in the unregulated sector.
As a result, the cryptocurrency has now reached an all-time high of $84,000 after the president-elect pledged to make America “the crypto capital of the planet” during his campaign.
Other cryptocurrencies are also surging, including Doge, Ethereum, and Solana.
Can Elon Musk ‘become most powerful man in world’ under a Trump presidency?
By Sayan Bose, Foreign News Reporter
ELON Musk could become the most powerful man in the world under the Trump administration.
The richest man in the world has become the biggest cheerleader for foe-turned-pal Trump.
Musk, who has been dubbed Trump’s “shadow vice president” or “co-president”, has gone all in to support and campaign for the former president.
Not only has he become a mega-donor for the Republican nominee, pumping millions of dollars into the GOP campaign, but also a social media strategist and a PR expert who has been working to promote Trump’s MAGA agenda.
But this unlikely bromance could be a stepping stone for Musk, 53, to become the most powerful person on the planet, experts said.
Dr Alan Mendoza, political expert and executive director of leading Brit think tank Henry Jackson Society, said he seeks to become powerful in both business and politics.
He told The Sun: “There’s clearly a power factor involved here.
“If you’ve got control of significant communications and means of communications and you’ve then got a friendly president who’s willing to give you a push on whatever you are doing, that gives you tremendous power in the business as well as the political world.
“That is the bet Elon Musk is making. It’s a bet he thinks he’ll win.”
For Musk, who owns several influential companies including X and SpaceX, a Trump victory could give him more control – and power – over these institutions.
David Richards, a veteran US political analyst, said Musk is helping Trump at the last minute to gain huge advantages for his businesses should he win.
He told The Sun: “It is a way for Musk to gain some influence should Trump win the election.
“He can be one of those people who has Trump’s ear which could help his business potentially.
“He will gain an advantage in terms of regulations, in terms of how the government and businesses coexist, and especially his businesses.
“He has had trouble in the past with Tesla running into regulations and issues. Some things with Twitter have also caused a few ruffles of feathers.
“So he thinks if he is on the inside, he can prevent a lot of those conflicts from happening.
“In the long term, he could get direct benefit from [more] government contracts for SpaceX and some of his other ventures.
“He wants to make sure he is first in line and seen as a trustworthy and potentially useful ally to the Trump administration.”
