OpenAI and Google Share Contrasting Proposals for Regulation in US ‘AI Action Plan’

Key Takeaways

• OpenAI and Google have shared recommendations for a “U.S. AI Action Plan.”
• The two companies are broadly aligned on most topics.
• However, there are some crucial differences between their recommendations.

OpenAI and Google have shared their recommendations for the White House’s upcoming “AI Action Plan.”

Although the two companies are aligned on their overall objectives, they offer differing views on the best way to achieve those goals.

National Security and Export Control

Both OpenAI and Google highlight the need for an AI policy that protects U.S. national security.

However, they take subtly different views on the key issue of export controls.

In its proposal, OpenAI leans heavily into anti-China sentiment that could find support with the Trump administration.

OpenAI’s position calls for a hardline stance prohibiting China and its closest allies from accessing “democratic AI systems.”

In contrast, Google barely mentions China directly and argues that blanket export controls introduced by the Biden administration risk undermining American competitiveness.

Instead, the company seeks a more balanced, targeted approach that would “support legitimate market access for U.S. businesses.”

Preemption and Regulatory Fragmentation

A major concern for Google and OpenAI is the emerging patchwork of state-level AI regulations.

Both companies refer to the legal concept of “preemption,” which occurs when a higher level of government removes or limits the authority of a lower level of government.

OpenAI proposes a “tightly-scoped framework” to give AI companies preemption from state-level laws. However, it falls short of demanding specific legislation.

Instead, OpenAI argues for voluntary collaboration and a sandbox environment where companies can experiment without incurring state-level liability.

Google, on the other hand, supports federal legislation that would override the state AI laws.

Infrastructure and Energy Policies

Infrastructure and energy policy is another area where OpenAI and Google share the same goal, but diverge on how to get there.

OpenAI’s infrastructure strategy is sweeping. It includes specific proposals for a “National Transmission Highway Act” and “AI Economic Zones” to support the American AI sector.

Meanwhile, Google agrees that energy is a major limiting factor for AI data centers but frames solutions more generally and does not call for so much direct federal intervention.

Workforce Development

The proposals from Google and OpenAI emphasize the need to develop the American workforce for AI leadership.

Both companies stress the need for AI training, but only Google touches on a topic that is a big focus for the Trump administration: immigration.

“Where practicable, U.S. agencies should use existing immigration authorities to facilitate recruiting and retention of experts in occupations requiring AI-related skills,” Google’s submission to the White House states.

OpenAI Out-MAGA’s Google

On some of the most important discussion points, including intellectual property law and government AI adoption, Google and OpenAI largely align in their views.

Even in areas where they disagree on the specifics, the two companies share similar overarching goals. However, when it comes to reading the nation’s political mood, OpenAI has taken the lead.

By embracing a hardline stance against China and avoiding any reference to immigration, OpenAI’s recommendations tap into key themes that could make them more appealing to the Trump administration.

To that end, the language of the two documents tells two different stories. While OpenAI mentions “America” or “U.S.” 99 times, Google uses those words just 56 times.

In contrast, Google makes repeated calls for international engagement and collaboration, which are entirely absent from OpenAI’s proposal.