Over the past year, a quiet but decisive shift has taken place in Washington: technology giants have not just influenced politics under President Donald Trump—they’ve become actively aligned with him, reshaping policy in ways that benefit their bottom line. This isn’t simply about lobbying or campaign donations; it’s about an aggressive push to dismantle legal boundaries on artificial intelligence, allowing the industry to operate with minimal oversight.
The dynamic is stark. While polls show rising public anxiety over AI’s impact on jobs, mental health, and even existential risks, tech leaders are pushing for deregulation under the guise of “national competitiveness.” They’ve attempted to preempt state-level AI laws, pressured the White House into executive actions targeting states enforcing their own regulations, and even explored federal overreach through agencies like the FCC.
The core issue is this: Silicon Valley isn’t fighting against Trump, it’s working with him to eliminate regulatory hurdles. Companies like OpenAI and Anthropic are driving demand for data at any cost, while lesser-known firms profit off this frenzy. The industry’s playbook involves aggressive lobbying, exploiting loopholes, and pushing narratives that prioritize AI dominance over public safety.
The situation is particularly alarming given the real-world consequences. Jobs are being lost at a rapid pace due to AI automation, yet the industry lobbies to remove any restrictions on its development. Generative AI is already shown to harm mental health, especially among young people, but regulatory action is stalled.
This alliance between Trump and tech represents a fundamental shift in political power. The industry is no longer simply seeking influence; it’s actively reshaping the legal landscape to suit its needs. The result is a system where unchecked AI development takes precedence over public welfare, and where the interests of billionaires outweigh the concerns of ordinary voters.
The future of AI policy isn’t about innovation versus regulation; it’s about whether the tech industry can successfully rewrite the rules to operate without accountability.
The current trajectory suggests a bleak outcome: an AI-driven future where the pursuit of profit trumps human well-being, and where the line between technology and governance has blurred beyond recognition.
