Over the past year, leading American technology companies have faced increasing pressure to call for clearer and more consistent regulations, particularly in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence (AI). After a period of relative silence during former President Donald Trump’s administration—when many CEOs favored close ties to the White House and its deregulation agenda—the tech industry is now signaling a shift toward advocating for transparent and accountable rule-making processes.

Throughout Trump’s tenure, tech executives largely refrained from publicly challenging policies that sometimes conflicted with their business interests. This included controversial measures such as the imposition of hefty fees for H-1B visas and the introduction of tariffs and export controls that disrupted supply chains and innovation. Rather than protesting, companies often adapted quietly or even expressed approval. For example, AI leaders such as OpenAI’s Sam Altman and Nvidia’s Jensen Huang praised policies perceived to limit foreign talent access, despite potential harm to their own talent recruitment efforts.

This muted response has drawn criticism, as many in the sector are now confronting the consequences of the administration’s unpredictable and politically driven interventions. Transparency International’s latest Corruption Perceptions Index assigned the United States its lowest score to date, highlighting concerns over transparency and rule-of-law erosion. Privately, business leaders have acknowledged these issues; a recent survey by Yale’s Chief Executive Leadership Institute found that two-thirds of mostly Republican CEOs saw tariffs as detrimental to their companies.

Against this backdrop, tech executives are increasingly urging the development of stable governance structures for AI. OpenAI recently published a statement advocating for “public accountability, transparency and oversight” overseen by representative governments. Google CEO Demis Hassabis, among others, has supported the creation of a U.S.-led international coalition to establish AI regulations, a topic addressed at the recent G7 summit.

However, the current regulatory landscape remains uncertain. Instead of clear guidelines, companies face sporadic, politically motivated actions such as the Department of Commerce’s directive requiring the AI firm Anthropic to restrict access to its latest models for foreign users on national security grounds. Cybersecurity experts warn that such “vibes-based” regulation risks eroding public trust in American AI companies by portraying services as subject to sudden government control.

Executives now rank regulatory uncertainty as one of their main economic concerns for the year ahead. Industry observers suggest that to mitigate risks and restore market confidence, companies must collectively insist on a rule of law that applies consistently and transparently, rather than relying on informal deals or administration goodwill.

While expectations remain cautious, experts argue that—even if driven primarily by commercial interests—tech leaders have an opportunity to champion a more predictable policy environment. Such advocacy could support a regulatory framework that balances innovation, national security, and public trust, fulfilling the broader interests of markets, allies, and citizens alike.