Originally posted on LinkedIn by James Stovall (link to post)
Winning the AI Race: My Take After Reading the U.S. AI Action Plan –
Big Implications for Private Companies and Research Universities
The White House’s Winning the AI Race: America’s AI Action Plan (released July 23, 2025) has big implications for private companies and research universities. Having personally read all 28 pages of this dense document, I can say it’s a critical roadmap for anyone navigating the AI revolution. Driven by President Trump’s January 2025 executive order, this plan outlines over 90 federal policy actions across three pillars: Accelerating Innovation, Building American AIInfrastructure, and Leading in International Diplomacy and Security. For private companies and research universities, the majority of what you needto focus on lies in Pillar #1: Accelerating Innovation. Below, I breakdown the plan’s key elements, dive deep into Pillar #1, and share 10 actionabletakeaways to help your organization thrive in this new AI era.
Why I Read the Plan and Why It Matters
I didn’t just skim summaries—I dug into the full 28-pageplan to unpack its nuances and implications. This isn’t just a government directive; it’s a bold signal of where the U.S. is heading in the global AI race, especially against competitors like China. For private companies and research universities, Pillar #1 is your playbook for innovation. It creates a deregulated, open-source-driven environment to accelerate AI development anddeployment, with a unified federal approach that clears the way for fasterprogress. Here’s a quick look at the three pillars, followed by a deep diveinto Pillar #1 and what it means for you.
The Three Pillars of the AI Action Plan
- Accelerating Innovation
This pillar is the heart of the plan, slashing regulations, promoting open-source and open-weight AI models, and encouraging industry-led innovation. It rejects restrictive policies like Biden-era AI safety frameworks and so called “woke” mandates (e.g., diversity, equity, and inclusion requirements or climate-related conditions in the CHIPS Act), which the administration views as barriers. For companies and universities, this is your chance to innovate freely and deploy AI solutions at scale. - Building American AI Infrastructure
This pillar focuses on physical and human capital: expediting data center construction, easing energy regulations (for oil, gas, coal, and nuclear) to meet AI’s computational demands, and offering federal land for infrastructure. It also includes workforce retraining programs through the Department of Labor to build a pipeline of AI-skilled professionals. - Leading in International Diplomacy and Security
This pillar aims to maintain U.S. dominance over rivals like China through export controls and partnerships with allies to promote American AI models and standards that uphold democratic values like free expression and privacy.
While Pillars #2 and #3 are vital for long-term AI leadership, Pillar #1 is where private companies and research universitieswill feel the immediate impact. It’s about creating a clear, unifiedplaying field for AI innovation, with fewer obstacles and more opportunities to lead.
Deep Dive: Pillar #1 – Accelerating Innovation
Pillar #1 is designed to unleash AI development by removingbarriers and empowering organizations. The executive order directs federalagencies to:
- Deregulate AI Development: Eliminate “unnecessary” regulations, including prior AI safety frameworks, to speed up innovation.
- Promote Open-Source AI: Encourage open-source and open-weight AI models to democratize access and spur innovation.
- Streamline Federal Standards: Discourage states from creating divergent AI regulations, creating a unified federal standard that clears the playing field for faster development and deployment of AI tools and innovations.
- Support Industry-Led Progress: Remove mandates tied to DEI or climate goals in programs like the CHIPS Act, prioritizing speed and flexibility.
For private companies and research universities, this pillar is a game-changer. By discouraging fragmented state-level AI regulations, the plan ensures a consistent, predictable environment that accelerates the development and deployment of AI tools. This means you can bring AI solutionsto market faster, whether it’s a new algorithm for medical research or acustomer-facing chatbot. But it also requires you to navigate this freedomresponsibly to maintain trust and avoid risks.
7 Key Takeaways for Private Companies and Research Universities
Based on my read of the plan, here are 10 actionableinsights tailored for private companies and research universities looking tocapitalize on Pillar #1:
- Benefit from Tax-Deductible AI Training
Upskilling your workforce for AI is essential, and the plan suggests that AI training or reskilling programs could likely be tax-deductible. Consult your tax advisor to offset costs for training employees in AI tools, from coding to deployment. - Leverage Deregulation for Speed
With fewer regulatory hurdles, you can move from concept to deployment faster. A startup building an AI tool or a university developing AI for research can skip lengthy compliance processes, but self-regulate to address ethical concerns like bias or privacy. - Tap into Open-Source AI Models
The plan’s push for open-source and open-weight models means access to powerful AI tools for free or low cost. Use platforms like Hugging Face to customize models for applications like business analytics or academic research. - Hire from Federal Retraining Programs
Federal funding for rapid retraining of workers impacted by skills-based job disruptions, led by the Department of Labor, offers a prime hiring source for pre-trained AI talent, ideal for scaling your team. - Recognize AI’s Staying Power
This plan is another signal that AI is here to stay, not a passing fad like the metaverse. Companies and universities should commit to long-term AI strategies to remain competitive and relevant. If you have been slow to pursue AI, now is the time to re-evaluate making an assessment or transformation investment here. - Proactively Address AI Safety
Deregulation offers flexibility, but risks like AI misuse or bias remain. Implement internal governance, such as audits or ethical AI frameworks, to avoid public or legal challenges. - Look for Specific Impacts in Healthcare and Energy
If you’re in healthcare or energy, expect targeted AI advancement. We have Workfast Consulting healthcare and energy clients accelerating their AI journey, as these industries are prioritized for innovations like AI-driven diagnostics or energy grid optimization. Align your strategies to capitalize on these specific impacts.
Challenges to Watch
Pillar #1’s deregulatory approach is a massive opportunity, but it comes with risks. Critics argue that reduced oversight could lead to AImisuse, fraud, or privacy violations, so organizations must self-regulate tomaintain trust. The removal of DEI and climate mandates may also spark pushbackfrom stakeholders who value social responsibility, so align your AI strategywith your organization’s mission and audience expectations.
The Bigger Picture
The Winning the AI Race plan is a call toaction, framing AI as a modern space race. With China’s AI advancements closingthe gap, the stakes are high. Over the next six to twelve months, expectactions like streamlined data center permits and a unified federal AI standardto reshape the landscape. For private companies and research universities,Pillar #1 is your invitation to innovate boldly and deploy AI solutions faster,thanks to a clear regulatory playing field.
What You Should Do Now
1. Build AI Literacy and an AI-First Mindset
If your organization hasn’t used AI or has only scratchedthe surface, it’s time to assess where you are and embark on a journey from AIbasics to an AI-first mindset. As AI becomes integral to daily life, partneringwith Workfast Consulting can help you develop tailored AI literacyprograms to ensure your team is ready to integrate AI effectively acrossoperations or research.
2. Conduct an Organizational AI Assessment
Before jumping into tools or platforms, companies shouldtake a hard look at their current workflows, data maturity, and talentreadiness. Workfast Consulting specializes in organizational assessments thatidentify high-impact use cases and build a roadmap for responsible, scalable AIadoption.
3. Prototype with AI
The federal push for open-source and open-weight modelsmeans companies can experiment with powerful tools at low cost. Workfast canhelp you navigate low cost tools and your specific goals and security to thinkabout practical, business-aligned applications.
4. Prepare Your Data and Processes for AI
Even if your organization is early in its AI journey, now isthe time to start organizing your data and workflows with AI in mind. Thatmeans thinking about how to collect, store, and structure data so it’smachine-readable and future-ready. Workfast Consulting helps clients buildfoundational data strategies that make AI integration smoother down the road.
5. Rethink Your Organizational Structure and TalentStrategy
AI isn’t just a tool—it’s a catalyst for reimagining how your organization operates. From flattening hierarchies to building agile pods and cross-functional teams, companies must evolve their structures to stay competitive. Workfast Consulting helps leaders design talent strategies and org models that unlock AI’s full potential while aligning with business goals.
Having read the plan, I’m convinced it’s a transformativemoment for private companies and research universities. Pillar #1 gives you thefreedom to push AI boundaries—use it to drive innovation and leadership in thisage of AI.
Workfast Consulting partners with organizations to navigate AI transformation with confidence. Not only do we have the expertise to build and implement AI solutions, we provide tailoredprograms, toolkits, and advisory services that help leaders and teams build themindset, habits, and capabilities needed to thrive in the AI era. From strategyto execution, we help you unlock the full potential of your workforce throughresponsible and impactful AI adoption at the intersection of people, process,and AI.
Learn more at www.workfastconsulting.comor www.linkedin.com/company/workfast-consulting
Follow or connect with James Stovall: www.linkedin.com/in/jfstovall/
Follow or connect with Matt Barnes: www.linkedin.com/in/mattbarnespe
