On July 23, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at preventing the federal government from contracting with AI models that are perceived to carry ideological biases. The directive focuses on AI systems influenced by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles, labeling them as “woke” and arguing that such viewpoints could distort AI accuracy and reliability.
The order requires federal agencies to work only with AI technologies that are “truthful and ideologically neutral.” It also calls for removing DEI considerations from federal AI safety guidelines, reversing policies set by the previous administration.
This move is part of Trump’s broader “AI Action Plan,” which aims to strengthen U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence by cutting regulations and encouraging AI technology exports. The plan also promotes faster construction of data centers and revising policies that may slow AI development.
Critics warn that this order could pressure AI developers to align their models with the administration’s ideology to secure federal contracts, potentially limiting innovation and free academic inquiry. Some experts fear this could discourage addressing important social issues related to race, gender, and justice within AI systems.
Major AI companies like OpenAI, xAI, Google, and Anthropic, which hold federal contracts, may need to adjust their models and training data to comply with the new rules. This could significantly impact how AI technologies are developed and used in government applications.
