Reports point to AI chip export rules clash, not Big Tech backlash

In short: Recent reporting centers on Trump administration AI policy fights over chip exports and regulation, and it does not show evidence of a public Big Tech backlash over “attacks on an AI lab.”

What's going on

Reports describe a shift in US AI policy after President Trump revoked President Biden’s Executive Order 14110 on January 23, 2025. Trump replaced it with a new order that argues for fewer federal limits and says AI should be developed without “ideological bias.” Some analysts say this is less about removing rules and more about changing how government power is used, like steering funding and trade policy in new directions.

A major point of tension is a draft Commerce Department rule that would tighten controls on exporting advanced AI chips. AI chips are specialized computer parts that help run AI systems, like the engine in a car. The draft would require many foreign buyers to get US licenses, and it has reportedly gone through multiple versions and is under review as of early March 2026. The White House is described as opposing the strict approach, while chipmakers such as Nvidia and AMD want wider overseas sales.

Another pressure point is state laws. The administration is pushing to block some state AI rules, while states keep proposing their own bills. In late 2025, a bipartisan group of 42 state attorneys general urged AI companies to do more to protect children from chatbot risks.

What to watch

Watch whether the chip export rule becomes final and how strict it is, since it could affect prices and availability of AI products. Also watch court fights between states and the federal government over who gets to set the rules.

Source: Financial Times