Trump's retreat in AI regulation exposes power of big techs

The Trump government withdrew from signing an executive order that would force artificial intelligence companies to submit new models to a security review before launch. The measure, which was about to be signed, was abandoned after strong pressure from leaders of the largest technology companies in the United States. The episode reveals how the big tech lobby managed to stop one of the toughest regulatory proposals ever planned for the sector.

According to [The Guardian] (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/may/23/trump-ai-order-big-tech), company executives such as Google, Meta, OpenAI and Microsoft met with White House advisors in the days leading up to the decision. The technology sector has spent tens of millions of dollars on lobbying campaigns against regulation in recent months.

What was the executive order Trump didn't sign on AI regulation?

The planned executive order determined that every company developing state-of-the-art AI models — with computational capacity above a certain threshold — should obtain a security certification issued by a federal agency before making the model available to the public. In practice, this would create a prior control similar to what already exists for medicines and airplanes. The proposal generated immediate reaction from executives, who argued that the measure would delay innovation and give advantage to foreign competitors.

How did big techs pressure the government against AI regulation?

The pressure was orchestrated through private meetings, advertising campaigns and mainly financial contributions to campaign committees. Government sources say that at least three meetings took place in the Oval Office with CEOs from large companies, who would have warned that the rule could lead to the escape of talent and investment to other countries. The argument of “risk to American competitiveness” prevailed over security concerns, which were defended by researchers and activists. The decision is seen as a clear victory of the sector, which already faces criticism for lack of transparency and control.

Why does Trump's retreat in AI regulation matter to Brazil?

The absence of a federal regulation in the United States creates a precedent for other countries, including Brazil, which discusses its own legal framework for artificial intelligence. If the world's largest economy backs down regulation, emerging countries tend to follow the same path with fear of losing investment. In addition, AI models launched without security review can be used globally, directly impacting the digital security of Brazilian citizens and companies. Trump's decision makes it even more urgent for Brazil to build its own regulation, which does not depend on Washington's movements.

Frequently Asked Questions about Trump's retreat in AI regulation

What motivated Trump's retreat?

The pressure of big tech executives, who argued that the rule would harm American innovation and competitiveness, led the president to abandon executive order.

Is AI regulation in the US ruled out?

No, but the episode indicates that any attempt at tighter regulation will face strong opposition from the technology sector, which has spent millions in lobbying.

How does this affect the development of AI in Brazil?

Brazilian companies using American models will continue without prior security guarantees, and the debate on local regulation may become even more polarized with the American example of deregulation.