Trump’s Election Throws Tech Regulation a Curveball
Well, folks, it looks like the tech world is in for a rollercoaster ride that would make even the most seasoned Silicon Valley entrepreneurs reach for their motion sickness pills. Donald Trump's surprise comeback victory has sent shockwaves through the industry, leaving everyone from startup founders to Big Tech CEOs scratching their heads and wondering, "What in the name of Elon Musk's Twitter feed is going to happen now?"
AI Regulation: From Guardrails to Guardrails? What Guardrails?
Trump has made it clear that he's not a fan of Biden's AI executive order, promising to tear it up faster than a toddler unwrapping a candy bar[1][3]. His campaign slogan for AI seems to be "Make AI Great Again... and Free!" which has some tech bros practically salivating at the thought of unleashing their algorithms without those pesky ethical considerations[10].
But hold your horses, cowboy coders! This wild west approach to AI development might just lead to some interesting scenarios. Imagine an AI that's been trained on nothing but Trump's tweets – we might end up with chatbots that communicate exclusively in ALL CAPS and end every sentence with "SAD!"
TikTok: From Foe to BFF?
In a plot twist worthy of a Netflix drama, Trump has gone from trying to ban TikTok to embracing it like a long-lost friend[4][12]. It's as if he suddenly realized that those dance challenges could be the key to winning the youth vote. Who knows, we might soon see the former president attempting the latest viral dance trend – "The Mar-a-Lago Shuffle," anyone?
Antitrust: Big Tech's Get Out of Jail Free Card?
While the Biden administration has been playing antitrust whack-a-mole with Big Tech, Trump's approach might be more like a game of Monopoly where everyone gets to be the banker[4][10]. This could mean more mergers and acquisitions than a season finale of "Succession." Get ready for GoogleBook, AmazonSoft, and AppleUber – coming soon to a monopoly near you!
Semiconductor Shenanigans
Trump's not a fan of the CHIPS Act, preferring to slap tariffs on foreign chips like they're avocados from Mexico[12]. This could lead to some interesting "Made in America" scenarios. Picture it: artisanal, small-batch semiconductors, lovingly hand-crafted in Brooklyn by hipsters with engineering degrees. They might not be as efficient, but they'll look great on Instagram!
As we buckle up for this wild ride, one thing's for sure: the tech industry is in for some interesting times. Whether you're Team Regulation or Team Free-For-All, grab your popcorn and get ready for a show that promises more plot twists than a season of "Black Mirror." After all, in the world of tech and Trump, the only constant is change – and maybe the occasional ALL CAPS tweet.
Citations:
[2] https://thebulletin.org/2024/11/trumps-potential-impact-on-emerging-and-disruptive-technologies/
[3] https://sundayguardianlive.com/business/the-future-of-ai-policy-in-the-united-states-under-trump-2-0