Humoring Donald Trump is no longer tech’s biggest problem
Hello again, and welcome back to Fast Company ’s Plugged In . It’s difficult to imagine human beings less similar in temperament than Donald Trump and most of the executives who run big tech companies. But the tech industry, like any business, is transactional by definition, and Trump might be the most nakedly transactional public figure of the century. In the president’s second term, that shared…
The tech industry, unlike typical businesses, is often driven by transactional relationships, and in President Donald Trump's case, he represents one of the most transactional figures in recent history. His presidency has led to numerous awkward and uncomfortable situations for tech companies, ranging from funding White House initiatives to granting the U.S. government significant stakes in key companies.
In his second term, Trump's increasingly erratic behavior has led some analysts, like the author, to argue that executives are merely buying time before confronting more consequential controversies.
Despite Trump's racist, corrupt, and strange behavior reaching new heights, no significant response has materialized. Consequently, the author does not expect the recent midterm elections to spur radical changes in tech companies' eagerness to please the president, whose term is far from over. However, the Democrats' winning control of the Senate and House of Representatives has significant implications for the industry's stance in Washington.
Given the Republicans' unwavering support for Trump, engaging with federal government affairs has largely involved engaging with Trump himself, prompting tech companies to flatter him or perform actions that make him look good. Still, the Democrats are expected to be less accommodating. With new Democrats eager to subpoena tech CEOs over issues like AI policy, children's online safety, and chip exports to China, the industry may find itself at odds with these lawmakers.
AI policy, in particular, is poised to be a contentious issue. Polls suggest that a majority of Americans believe AI does more harm than good, and 56% of voters said data centers were a crucial or major factor in their purchasing decisions. With Democrats more suspicious of AI than Republicans, the new Congress is incentivized to take a proactive role in shaping its future.
On the subject of AI, Trump is an enthusiastic advocate, but his lack of technical expertise has sometimes led the industry to adopt performative compliance rather than fully embracing his demands. Companies like IBM have adopted terms like "super intelligence" to appease Trump, but often revert to "AI" in less formal contexts. This approach of humorously engaging with Trump is expected to become more prevalent among tech leaders as they navigate relationships with both Republicans and Democrats.
Written by urgent.news from Fast Company's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
