American AI Exports Program

The Trump administration's American AI Exports Program, aimed at promoting U.S. AI technology globally, received only 78 applications in its first round, far below officials' expectations. Industry skepticism about government incentives and concerns over restrictive policies, such as forcing Anthropic to limit foreign access to its models, have undermined the initiative's effectiveness as China's AI firms gain traction in developing markets.

The American AI Exports Program, designed to promote U.S. AI technology abroad and counter Chinese influence, faces criticism for its current design. The program risks failing to attract foreign governments and may only claim credit for deals U.S. firms would have secured independently. The Call for Proposals lacks clear guidance on target markets and strategic priorities, potentially undermining its effectiveness.