In March 2025, the Trump Administration made some bold moves to steer the future of artificial intelligence in the U.S. It was quite a month for AI enthusiasts and professionals alike. By March 15, the White House wrapped up its public comment period on the AI Action Plan. A whopping 8,755 comments came in, tackling crucial issues like data privacy, technical standards, and procurement. The final plan, which we should see by July 2025, aims to keep America at the forefront of AI on the global stage.
The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) wasn’t sitting idle either. On March 19, they kicked off the GenAI Image Challenge, designed to test AI models that generate and detect AI-created images. Then, on March 24, they released a report on adversarial machine learning, providing valuable insights on securing AI systems against complex attacks. NIST is also working on the AI Standards Zero Drafts project, which will develop preliminary standards with input from stakeholders.
March 25 marked a key moment when Michael Kratsios was confirmed as Director of the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy. As a leading figure in the Trump Administration’s AI strategy, Kratsios is set to push for sector-specific AI standards and evaluate the role of the U.S. AI Safety Institute in maintaining American leadership. President Trump has tasked him with ensuring the U.S. stays on top technologically, revitalizing science and tech sectors, and driving economic growth through innovation.
Meanwhile, the rise of DeepSeek, a major player in the U.S.-China AI competition, has caught the attention of Congress and state officials. Concerns over privacy and security have led to calls for its ban on government devices. Representatives Josh Gottheimer and Darin LaHood have been urging state governors and the District of Columbia’s mayor to take action. The No DeepSeek on Government Devices Act was introduced back in February, and several states have already enacted their own bans.
Early in March, South Dakota and Oklahoma joined the ranks of states banning DeepSeek’s AI models on government-issued devices, citing security and compliance risks. These moves highlight a growing demand for tighter controls over AI technology in government settings.
