Navigating America’s AI Action Plan
On July 23, 2025, the White House released “Winning the Race: America’s AI Action Plan” (“AI Action Plan”) in accordance with Executive Order 14179, Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence. The plan outlines more than 90 federal policy initiatives organized around three strategic pillars:
Accelerating AI Innovation
Building American AI Infrastructure
Leading in International AI Diplomacy and Security
On the same day, during an AI-focused summit, President Trump also signed three related Executive Orders:
Preventing Woke AI in the Federal Government
Accelerating Federal Permitting of Data Center Infrastructure
Promoting the Export of the American AI Technology Stack
These actions collectively aim to position the United States as a global leader in AI development, deployment, and governance while streamlining regulatory and infrastructure pathways.
Federal Agency Considerations
We applaud the AI Action Plan’s emphasis on removing regulatory roadblocks to accelerate AI innovation. By streamlining approval processes and revising outdated frameworks, the federal government is sending a strong message that innovation should not be hindered by bureaucracy. However, federal agencies should consider the following:
Risk vs. Speed: Agencies must strike the right balance between accelerating AI adoption and ensuring responsible oversight—avoiding a “move fast, break things” culture that could erode trust.
Procurement Flexibility: Existing acquisition vehicles may not be optimized for fast-moving AI technologies. Agencies should evaluate whether current procurement processes allow them to keep pace with industry innovation.
Ethical & Legal Boundaries: Even in a deregulated environment, agencies must safeguard against bias, ensure civil liberties, and maintain compliance with existing laws such as the Privacy Act, FISMA, and records management rules.
Standards & Interoperability: With fewer federal restrictions, agencies need to proactively align with NIST, ISO, and emerging cross-agency standards to prevent siloed or incompatible AI implementations.
Accelerating Federal AI Adoption: Key Steps
As federal agencies work to implement the AI Action Plan, it is critical to translate strategic intent into actionable steps that accelerate adoption while maintaining ethical and operational rigor. Our recommended next steps focus on policy alignment, workforce readiness, governance, and industry engagement. These steps can be implemented simultaneously to accelerate adoption.
Step 1: Assess Policy Barriers
Review internal policies and acquisition rules that could slow AI deployment.
Outcome: Agencies can innovate without unnecessary friction.
Step 2: Pilot Agile Procurement Approaches
Test flexible methods such as challenge-based solicitations and Commercial Solutions Openings.
Outcome: Faster sourcing and evaluation of AI solutions from diverse vendors.
Step 3: Implement AI Governance Structures
Establish cross-functional boards to evaluate use cases and monitor risk.
Outcome: Ensures ethical oversight while enabling rapid iteration and learning.
Step 4: Prepare the Workforce
Train acquisition, program, and technical staff on AI procurement pathways and responsibilities.
Outcome: Teams are equipped to implement AI responsibly and effectively.
Step 5: Engage Industry Early and Broadly
Proactively communicate opportunities to small businesses and emerging technology vendors.
Outcome: Expands innovation, supports competitive access, and increases vendor diversity.
By addressing policy, procurement, governance, workforce, and industry engagement together, agencies can unlock innovation, accelerate AI adoption responsibly, and strengthen mission
outcomes.
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