Data Foundation Applauds White House AI Action Plan, Highlights Key Role of Data Infrastructure

Data Coalition-developed AI-Ready Data Policy Framework aligns with Trump Administration’s vision for leading with AI and data 

WASHINGTON, D.C., July 25, 2025 – The Data Foundation strongly supports and applauds the White House "America's AI Action Plan," recognizing the Trump Administration's comprehensive strategy to lead in the global AI environment, while highlighting data infrastructure as the foundation for AI-accelerated discovery and innovation. The Action Plan has received widespread acclaim from across the technology industry, reflecting a shared recognition that comprehensive data infrastructure is essential for AI leadership.

"The AI Action Plan represents a practical and bold vision that recognizes data infrastructure as the bedrock of successful AI implementation," said Nick Hart, Ph.D., President and CEO of the Data Foundation. "The Trump Administration's commitment to building world-class AI capabilities and infrastructure directly aligns with our Data Coalition’s longstanding advocacy for comprehensive federal data modernization."

Framework Alignment

The Data Foundation's "AI-Ready Data Policy Framework"—featuring High-Quality Data, Effective Governance Principles, and Technical Capacity—directly supports the White House AI Action Plan's objectives. This framework, detailed in "Data Policy in the Age of AI," offers practical guidance that complements the Trump Administration's strategic vision.

The Data Foundation particularly commends the Action Plan's alignment with themes from its recent American Science Acceleration Project (ASAP) response to Members of Congress:

• Improved Data Quality: The Action Plan's directive for minimum data quality standards supports the Data Foundation's advocacy for comprehensive data governance.
   
• Existing Infrastructure: Building upon OMB M-25-05, OMB M-25-21, and the Chief AI Officer Council reflects recommendations to leverage current frameworks and existing processes.
   
• Federal AI Adoption: Ensuring responsible employee access to AI tools with training aligns with building AI-ready workforce capabilities, including by bolstering AI- and data-literacy.

Building on Existing Implementation Infrastructure

The Data Foundation emphasizes that key federal data infrastructure is positioned to support the Action Plan's ambitious goals:

• CIPSEA Implementation: The Action Plan's call for finalizing overdue OMB regulations on data accessibility supports breaking down silos while maintaining privacy protections that will promote AI-ready datasets.
   
• National Secure Data Service (NSDS): This CHIPS and Science Act initiative at NSF provides secure, privacy-preserving data sharing that directly enables the scientific datasets the Action Plan envisions.
   
• Secure Federal AI Environments: The Action Plan's directive to establish secure compute environments within NSF and DOE for controlled access to restricted federal data directly supports the Data Foundation's longstanding endorsement of the National AI Research Resource (NAIRR). This infrastructure will enable secure AI use cases while maintaining appropriate data protections.
   
• OPEN Government Data Act: The Action Plan builds on existing requirements for machine-readable data with comprehensive metadata. "More complete 'open by default' implementation will support federally-developed AI-ready datasets," Hart explained.
   
• Chief Data Officers: "CDOs have been building data governance expertise and processes necessary for AI acceleration," Hart said. "The Action Plan can build on empowering these leaders to partner with new Chief AI Officers with resources to deliver results."

The alignment of NSDS, NAIRR, and the new, secure compute environments creates an unprecedented opportunity for responsible, privacy-preserving scientific data sharing that can also bolster capabilities across the private sector.

Building Trust Through Data

"The Action Plan's commitment to respecting privacy, while building world-class datasets reflects the transparent, accountable approach necessary for sustained American AI leadership," Hart observed.

The Data Foundation's Data Coalition members, representing diverse industry and government data experts, have championed federal data policy advancement over the past decade. As a leading voice in federal data policy, the Data Foundation enthusiastically supports this comprehensive strategy and stands ready to help implement the data infrastructure components essential for America's AI leadership. "The convergence of the Action Plan's strategic vision with established federal data infrastructure creates clear opportunities for scientific acceleration and economic growth," Hart concluded.

About the Data Foundation

The Data Foundation is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. that champions the use of open data and evidence-informed public policy to make society better for everyone. As a nonpartisan think tank, we conduct research, collaborative thought leadership, and advocacy programs that advance practical policies for the creation and use of accessible, trustworthy data. Our activities proactively address emerging data-related needs in the country with the goal of devising realistic solutions, accelerating policy coordination, and advancing innovation. The Data Foundation is recognized by Candid Guidestar with the Platinum Seal of Transparency and received 4-Stars from Charity Navigator. To learn more, visit www.datafoundation.org. (LEI: 254900I43CTC59RFW495)