Omidyar Network statement on the White House AI Action Plan
We are laying the foundation for America’s AI future. The choices our society makes today about this transformative technology will determine whether it contributes to shared power, prosperity, and possibility for all. At Omidyar Network, we believe strong guardrails are what make true innovation and investment possible.
The White House’s AI Action Plan contains important and positive proposals—the AI Workforce Research Hub, investments in public research infrastructure, expanded access to computing resources, and strong endorsement of open-source models. But, the entire plan rests on a dangerous fallacy: that regulation stifles innovation.
This isn’t sound policy—it’s a gift to already-powerful tech companies that ignores every lesson from previous technology revolutions. From automobiles to pharmaceuticals, smart guardrails—often implemented and tested first at the state level—actually accelerated adoption by building public trust and creating level playing fields for competition.
We believe that targeting “ideological neutrality” in AI is shortsighted and counterproductive to the Administration’s stated goal to cement US dominance in this sector. Similarly, we believe that fast-tracking data center construction will not result in meaningful job creation and, if the AI companies themselves are to be believed, may exacerbate labor displacement. In addition, the plan’s failure to establish any liability framework creates ongoing risks for investors, markets, and the public.
Ultimately, we believe Congress must pass comprehensive AI legislation. Until then, states must be allowed to experiment with their own approaches, and Omidyar Network and our partners will build on the plan’s strengths while working to address its structural flaws.
