The US Department of Commerce has launched what could become one of the most significant initiatives in the Administration’s AI Action Plan: the American AI Exports Program. This new effort positions the Department of Commerce as an active partner in expanding the global reach of American AI technologies: hardware, software, and models. This initiative marks a shift from regulating AI development domestically to fostering trusted AI ecosystems worldwide. At its core, this effort uses US economic and diplomatic strengths to shape the global AI marketplace before others do.
Over the past few years, Washington’s AI policy debate has focused on risk management: how to prevent bias, combat misinformation, and ensure safety in critical systems. These concerns are crucial, but they shouldn’t be the sole focus when discussing emerging technology. The AI Exports Program demonstrates a deliberate expansion of the federal government’s tools, with the Department of Commerce acting as both a regulator and promoter of growth.