The United States’ new artificial intelligence framework outlines how policy, innovation, and partnerships are shaping the next phase of the AI economy
CHARVI ARORA
As governments around the world race to shape the future of artificial intelligence (AI), the United States is positioning itself as a major destination for AI investment, development, and commercialization. In March 2026, President Donald J. Trump announced a National Policy Framework for AI, outlining U.S. priorities on innovation, regulation, and economic growth.
According to the Foreign Commercial Service (FCS), the trade promotion arm of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s International Trade Administration, the framework “reinforces the United States’ leadership in AI, with a focus on innovation, competitiveness, and responsible deployment.” An FCS official adds that it “provides clear policy direction for industry and signals continuity in the U.S. approach to supporting AI development and commercialization.”
For global businesses and investors, the framework also signals how international partners can engage with the U.S. AI market as the United States seeks to expand its leadership in emerging technologies.
In India, the FCS operates in New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Chennai, working with partners to strengthen commercial engagement and deepen U.S.-India economic ties.
Turning policy into action
The framework builds on earlier efforts to gather industry input and shape implementation. “In combination with the Request for Information (RFI) issued in October 2025 and the Call for Proposals (CFP) launched in April 2026 under the AI Exports Program, the framework reflects a phased effort to engage industry and translate policy goals into real-world actions,” the FCS official explains.
The official adds that the approach is also intended to create greater clarity for companies looking to engage with the U.S. market. “A more streamlined U.S. approach to AI policy provides greater clarity and predictability for companies engaging with the U.S. market, helping create a stable environment for investment, entry, and expansion. It would also encourage deeper commercial engagement with U.S. industry, including participation in technology partnerships and collaboration.”
Competing for global AI capital
The framework is also designed to encourage investment and expansion in the United States. “Greater policy coherence across these initiatives provides clear signals on U.S. priorities in AI. This supports confident investment decisions, fast innovation cycles, and strong incentives for companies considering expansion or scaling in the United States as a global hub for AI development and commercialization,” the official says.
Broader U.S. government initiatives are also aimed at helping companies identify business opportunities in the United States. Through the U.S. Department of Commerce and its investment promotion program SelectUSA, global firms can access market intelligence, connect with state and local investment agencies, and explore opportunities across federal, state, and local levels. Since its inception, SelectUSA has facilitated more than $400 billion in investment and supported over 270,000 U.S. jobs.
The U.S. AI advantage
The framework highlights two long-standing strengths of the U.S. technology sector: intellectual property protections and access to skilled talent. “Strong intellectual property protections and a talent base remain foundational strengths of the U.S. innovation ecosystem. Together, they support investment in research and development, enable commercialisation of advanced technologies, and ensure companies have access to a highly skilled workforce needed to scale AI innovation,” the official says.
The broader policy conversation also includes emerging issues such as AI-generated content, copyright, and digital replicas, as governments and courts continue to grapple with how existing laws apply to rapidly evolving AI technologies.
Building global AI partnerships
Beyond investment and innovation, the framework also signals how the United States wants to deepen international AI collaboration. For global partners, including India, the AI Exports Program reflects what the FCS official describes as “a structured approach to engaging industry in U.S.-led AI innovation.”
“The progression from the RFI (Request for Information) to the CFP (Call for Proposals) under the AI Exports Program creates pathways for international companies to engage with U.S. industry through consortium-based models and contribute to the development and deployment of full-stack AI solutions with global applications,” the official explains.
Looking ahead, the official notes that “as the framework moves toward implementation, stakeholders should follow legislative and regulatory outcomes and how the AI Exports Program evolves in practice. Key areas include consortium formation, export facilitation mechanisms, and the development of standards and compliance expectations that will shape participation in U.S.-led AI ecosystems.”
(The Author is Associate Editor (English) SPAN Magazine, U.S. Embassy New Delhi, Public Diplomacy Section)