In a unified effort to advance artificial intelligence (AI) innovation, tech giants Google and OpenAI have called on the Trump administration to ease copyright restrictions on AI training. The companies submitted policy proposals advocating for greater flexibility in the use of copyrighted materials, arguing that current intellectual property barriers could hinder progress in AI development. This move comes as President Donald Trump prepares to unveil his comprehensive “AI Action Plan” by mid-2025, aimed at solidifying U.S. leadership in the global AI race.
The proposals, submitted on Thursday, respond to Trump’s renewed focus on AI regulation following his decision to revoke the previous administration’s AI executive order in January 2025. Both Google and OpenAI emphasized the importance of “fair use and text-and-data mining exceptions” in fostering innovation across critical sectors such as healthcare, scientific research, and economic growth. They warned that overly strict copyright policies could stifle advancements and undermine America’s competitive edge in AI.
Google praised the administration’s commitment to maintaining U.S. dominance in AI, stating that the development of a cohesive strategy is essential. The company highlighted the $500 billion Stargate Project, unveiled by Trump in January, which aims to bolster U.S. AI infrastructure. The initiative includes major contributions from OpenAI, Microsoft, Oracle, and other tech leaders, underscoring the collaborative effort to strengthen the nation’s AI capabilities.
However, the push for relaxed copyright laws comes amid ongoing legal challenges faced by both companies. OpenAI is currently defending itself against multiple lawsuits filed by authors and publishers, including high-profile figures like Sarah Silverman and George R. R. Martin. These lawsuits allege that OpenAI used copyrighted works without permission to train its AI models, such as ChatGPT. Similarly, Google has faced accusations of using copyrighted content to develop its AI tools, including a now-shelved music recommendation system for YouTube.
Beyond copyright concerns, Google and OpenAI also raised alarms about the fragmented regulatory landscape governing AI in the U.S. With over 780 AI-related bills under consideration at the state level, the lack of a unified federal framework could create compliance challenges and hinder innovation. Google urged the administration to establish a cohesive federal policy that provides clear guidelines for AI development, enabling companies to operate seamlessly across state lines without conflicting regulations.
“While America currently leads the world in AI, our lead is not assured,” Google cautioned, echoing remarks made by Vice President Vance at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris. The company stressed the need for a strategic approach to maintain the U.S.’s position as a global AI powerhouse.
Trump’s upcoming AI Action Plan, mandated to be presented within 180 days, prioritizes sustaining U.S. dominance in artificial intelligence. As the administration works to finalize its strategy, the proposals from Google and OpenAI highlight the critical balance between protecting intellectual property and fostering innovation in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. The outcome of these discussions could shape the future of AI development in the U.S. and beyond.
