An executive order from outgoing US president Joe Biden aimed at advancing the nation’s leadership in AI infrastructure is “welcome and needed in theory, but this one seems rushed and somewhat at odds with the order just passed on AI chip export restrictions,” an analyst said Thursday.
Avivah Litan, distinguished VP analyst at Gartner, said, “these contradictions make me wonder why the rush with these orders when there is a new administration coming in next week? Who is pushing Biden to do this? What special interest groups are getting the President’s ear? Why was there very little if any industry consultation on these orders before they were drafted? The decision-making process is murky and opaque.”
The AI chip restriction order announced on Monday restricts what Litan described as ”needed AI chip exports to many countries allied with the West,” while Tuesday’s executive order directs the US Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Energy (DoE) to “lease federal sites where the private sector can build frontier AI infrastructure at speed and scale.”
A statement from Biden, released by the White House, indicated, “these efforts also will help position America to lead the world in clean energy deployment in the context of strategic competition abroad. Some of this new capacity will also be committed for use by small businesses and startups. This renewed partnership between the government and industry will ensure that the United States will continue to lead the age of AI.”
Tuesday’s order, he added, “enables an AI infrastructure buildout that protects national security, enhances competitiveness, powers AI with clean energy, enhances AI safety, keeps prices low for consumers, demonstrates responsible ways to scale new technologies, and promotes a competitive AI ecosystem.”
The US is not alone in these efforts. On Monday, the UK government announced the AI Opportunities Action Plan, a report authored by industry figure Matt Clifford, an entrepreneur and investor appointed as the administration’s AI adviser after Labour’s election win in July.
“There is barely an aspect of our society that will remain untouched by this force of change,” said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a foreword to the report. “This government will not sit back passively and wait for change to come. It is our responsibility to harness it and make it work for working people.”
Litan described the UK plan as “farther reaching and addressing AI data and the workforce, so it is more comprehensive and seems more thoughtful.”
Asked for comment on the two strategies, Phil Brunkard, executive counselor at Info-Tech Research Group UK, said, “the US plans to lead the global AI race by combining its national security goals with sustainable infrastructure. Under the new executive order, the DoD and DoE will lease federal land for the private sector to build out AI data centers powered by clean energy, like nuclear, solar, or wind. The gist of their plan is to lead the way in responsible AI development to keep the US as the technology leader while being mindful of the environmental impact.”
Meanwhile, the UK’s AI Opportunities Action Plan, he said, “is heavily reliant on collaboration with academia and industry partners, backed by significant private sector investments in AI infrastructure. But its success will depend on how effectively it can solve energy and cooling challenges, especially in areas with limited resources.”
Brunkard added, “by focusing on domestic AI production and ethical oversight, the UK is hoping to balance innovation with responsibility, which is an essential step in building long-term technological resilience.”
Both plans, he said, “recognize that AI dominance requires more than just the latest and greatest cutting-edge technology; it’s about building solid infrastructure, securing data, and governing AI ethically. While the US emphasizes security and clean energy, the UK focuses on self-reliance and strong regulatory safeguards. These two distinct approaches show how geopolitical context can really shape national AI strategies.”
And while the UK’s plan acknowledges the importance of education and skills development to support AI growth, Brunkard said, “the US, on the other hand, does not directly address this challenge in its plan. Although it currently has a skilled workforce and a more immediate infrastructure advantage, it could face long-term challenges in sustaining its talent pipeline. Without addressing gaps in STEM education and investing in future talent, America’s current talent pipeline may struggle to meet the future AI industry needs.”
Another issue has to do with the incoming Trump administration. When it comes to clean energy, Litan said, “Trump will cancel out any initiative for commercializing and deploying clean energy as soon as he takes office. It’s obvious. It goes against the grain of what he cares about and what he wants to promote.”
Echoing Litan’s concerns, an advisory issued by global law firm Dentons stated that political uncertainty is a key consideration in what might happen next. “With an impending presidential administration change, the future of the AI Executive Order is uncertain,” it said. “Interested parties should be prepared for potential modifications or rescissions under new leadership.”