The United States is advocating for a performance-based approach to artificial intelligence (AI) governance among global partners, rather than pursuing a centralized global regulatory framework, according to U.S. Chief Technology Officer Ethan Klein. Speaking at an event hosted by the Information Technology Industry Council on Tuesday, Klein emphasized that while the U.S. aims to lead in AI innovation, it does not expect other countries to adopt its regulatory structures verbatim.
This initiative aligns with the previous administration’s AI Action Plan, which tasked the Departments of Commerce and State to collaborate with industry to offer comprehensive AI export packages—covering hardware, models, software, applications, and standards—to U.S. allies. The goal of this initiative is to enhance American influence on AI innovation and deployment globally, as U.S. officials have expressed concerns about the adoption of Chinese values in technology, which they view as a potential national security risk.
Klein clarified that the aim is to encourage nations to create sector-specific regulatory systems that accommodate their own unique needs, emphasizing that “if we’re developing the technology here, we’re manufacturing that technology here, it’s subject to the regulatory and policy frameworks that we have set up within the United States.” He indicated that exporting American technology could foster similar regulatory standards among allied nations, enabling innovation to be evaluated before imposing stricter regulations.
“Our [OSTP] director, Michael Kratsios, has spoken out… against AI global governance, and instead enabling countries to… towards tech sovereignty,” Klein stated. This perspective allows each nation to consider how AI technologies align with their specific policy frameworks. He added that the U.S. is working on distilling successful principles from its regulatory frameworks to aid other countries in technology development.
To facilitate this, the U.S. is establishing foreign partnerships, including technology prosperity deals signed by President Donald Trump with the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Japan. Klein expressed optimism about the collaboration between nations in AI test beds and innovation, noting that the potential benefits span multiple sectors, including healthcare, education, and transportation.
“I think what we’ve seen is that there’s a lot of countries that are extremely excited about the future of technology, and they found that the United States is a great partner in working with to enjoy those benefits,” Klein remarked.
In December 2025, Trump signed an executive order aimed at establishing a unified national AI policy framework while curbing state AI regulations. As of now, there are no comprehensive federal regulations on AI in place.
This approach to AI governance reflects a broader trend in which nations are navigating the complexities of technological advancement while considering their individual regulatory landscapes. By promoting international collaboration and sector-specific regulations, the United States seeks to position itself as a leader in the global AI landscape, fostering innovation while addressing the challenges posed by emerging technologies.
As AI technologies continue to evolve, the discourse around governance will likely intensify, compelling nations to engage in dialogue about best practices in regulation and innovation. The outcome of these discussions could shape the future of AI deployment worldwide and influence how countries balance technological advancement with ethical considerations and national security.
White House | NIST | U.S. Department of State
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