Trump AI Policy May Not Mean What You Think It Means

In this episode of Cilla Consciousness, David Rothkopf interviews Alondra Nelson about the current U.S. AI policy under the Trump administration, contrasting it with the Biden administration's approach. Nelson argues that the Trump administration's AI policy, while appearing deregulatory, is actually a muscular intervention in the AI industry, particularly through trade warfare and export controls. They discuss the implications of these policies on U.S. competitiveness, innovation, and the potential for a regulatory checkerboard at the state and local levels. Nelson critiques the Biden administration's public engagement around science and technology and emphasizes the need for public accountability and messaging. The conversation also touches on the importance of considering the broader impacts of AI beyond generative AI and the role of state-level regulations in the absence of federal action.