As the Trump administration aggressively pushes its AI strategy across federal agencies, concerns are mounting from government employees, historians, and even international allies. With a clear focus on deregulation and rapid AI deployment, critics argue that this approach risks diminishing oversight, causing institutional chaos, and even erasing vital historical records.

While the administration promotes AI-driven automation as a way to streamline government functions, growing opposition suggests that the rapid changes may come at a cost. Federal workers, historians, and technology experts are questioning the long-term consequences of the administration’s AI-first policies.

GSA Employees Push Back on AI-Powered Overhaul

One of the biggest controversies sparked by Trump’s AI plan is unfolding at the General Services Administration (GSA)—a key federal agency responsible for government procurement and operations.

At a tense all-hands meeting, Acting Administrator Stephen Ehikian faced intense scrutiny from employees over job cuts, software restrictions, and the prioritization of AI-driven projects over essential workplace tools.

During the meeting, agency officials introduced GSAi, an internal AI-powered chatbot designed to automate simple tasks like drafting emails. However, many workers expressed frustration, arguing that the administration’s emphasis on AI was overshadowing critical operational issues, including staff reductions and restrictive policies on software tools.

Since early 2025, over 1,800 GSA employees have reportedly accepted deferred resignation offers, citing disruptions in operations and lack of transparency.

Other policy changes under the new AI-driven strategy include:

• Mandatory return-to-office policies despite remote work benefits.
• A $1 cap on federal purchase card spending, restricting access to essential software and procurement tools.
• The elimination of widely used software like Adobe Pro, replaced by internal AI-powered alternatives.

Despite assurances that AI will improve efficiency, many workers argue that these AI-first policies are reducing productivity rather than enhancing it.

AI-Driven Content Purge at the Pentagon Sparks Outrage

Another alarming consequence of Trump’s AI plan is the unintended deletion of historically significant content from federal websites.

At the Pentagon, an AI-powered content review system recently removed web pages honoring minority veterans, including tributes to Jackie Robinson’s WWII service and Army Maj. Gen. Charles Calvin Rogers, a Black Medal of Honor recipient.

The mass content purge followed an executive order issued by President Trump, directing federal agencies to eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)-related content.

A Pentagon spokesperson admitted that AI mistakenly flagged and removed several historically significant records.

“Every now and then, because of the realities of AI tools and other software, some important content was incorrectly pulled offline to be reviewed.”

While some of the deleted pages have since been restored, the incident has raised serious concerns among historians, veterans’ groups, and government transparency advocates. Critics argue that using AI to automate content moderation can undermine historical integrity and disproportionately erase contributions from marginalized groups.

Also Read: US Court of Appeals Rules AI-Generated Work Ineligible for Copyright

Tech Giants Applaud AI Deregulation Despite Public Concerns

While government employees and historians raise concerns, Silicon Valley appears to be celebrating Trump’s AI plan.

Major tech companies, including OpenAI, Meta, and Google, have praised the administration for reducing regulatory hurdles that they believe stifled AI innovation under previous leadership.

In an effort to shape future AI policies, the administration has invited tech industry leaders to provide input on a forthcoming National AI Action Plan, expected to be released later this year.

Key industry demands include:

• Minimal government intervention to maintain U.S. dominance in AI.
• Fair use protection for AI training data, preventing copyright restrictions from slowing model development.
• Open-source AI models to compete with closed systems from China and the EU.

OpenAI, for example, warned that China’s rapid AI advancements could threaten U.S. leadership unless AI development is allowed to proceed without restrictive regulations.

“Without fair use access to copyrighted material… America loses, as does the success of democratic AI.”

Similarly, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has reportedly pushed for retaliatory measures against European regulators, arguing that their AI policies unfairly disadvantage U.S. companies.

Google, on the other hand, has focused on AI infrastructure, calling for major energy investments to support large-scale AI deployments and opposing state-level regulations that could introduce legal complexities across the U.S.

Global Impact: EU Rethinks AI Regulations in Response to U.S. Shift

The Trump administration’s AI deregulation strategy is already influencing global policy decisions.

The European Union, which once championed the EU AI Act—a strict set of laws designed to control AI risks—is now reconsidering its approach.

Facing mounting pressure to remain competitive with the U.S., EU officials are signaling a shift away from heavy regulation toward a more business-friendly AI framework.

Professor David Danks, a data science expert at UC San Diego, believes the global AI landscape is changing rapidly.

“We’re going to see a significant pullback in terms of the regulatory efforts… worldwide.”

Similarly, Karen Silverman, CEO of Cantellus Group, an AI advisory firm, noted that the U.S. appears to have abandoned any unified AI regulatory approach.

“It’s clear that we’re taking a step back from that idea that there’s going to be a coherent overall approach to AI regulation.”

While this deregulation push may accelerate AI innovation, experts warn that lack of oversight could lead to serious ethical, economic, and societal consequences.

What’s Next for Trump’s AI Plan?

With Trump’s AI plan under fire, the administration faces a growing divide between federal workers, historians, and global policymakers on one side and major tech companies on the other.

While the push for AI deregulation has been welcomed by industry leaders, concerns over workforce reductions, historical content erasure, and ethical risks are fueling backlash from those affected by the rapid changes.

As the administration moves forward with its National AI Action Plan, the question remains: Will these policies lead to groundbreaking AI advancements, or will they create new challenges that outweigh the benefits?

What are your thoughts on Trump’s AI policy? Is deregulation the key to U.S. leadership in AI, or does the government need to ensure stricter oversight? Let us know in the comments!