A new national roadmap lays out over 90 actions to drive innovation, strengthen infrastructure, and shape global AI norms.
The federal government recently unveiled “Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan,” a comprehensive federal roadmap designed to secure US leadership in artificial intelligence (AI). Developed in response to a January executive order, the plan outlines more than 90 policy actions across three pillars: Accelerating Innovation, Building American AI Infrastructure, and Leading in International Diplomacy and Security.
As covered in a NACo article, counties as front-line service providers and federal program implementers play a pivotal role in shaping and applying AI solutions that meet community needs. The AI Action Plan touches on multiple areas of local interest, including land use, workforce development, cybersecurity, and regulatory authority, and positions counties as essential partners in the nation’s AI future.
Counties urge the FCC to respect state and local lawmaking authorities in areas not expressly restricted by federal law. Counties further urge the FTC to retain discretion insofar as current law permits to protect consumers against the harms and dangers of the malicious use of AI and generative AI.
Key initiatives in the plan reflect a whole-of-government approach to accelerate AI leadership through infrastructure and innovation. The plan aims to speed up the permitting process for building data centers and semiconductor fabrication plants, while also launching initiatives to boost the skilled workforce needed to support them. To support innovation, the plan proposes rolling back outdated regulations that may hinder AI development, while inviting private sector input on which rules to eliminate.
The Action Plan aims to bolster economic competitiveness, protect national security, and ensure a US presence in guiding AI’s development.
Learn more at AI.gov.
Read NACo’s analysis of the Federal AI Action Plan and what it means for counties.
