Trump’s Stargate Project and the global AI race

Dr Emmanuelle Walkowiak, Vice Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellow

“The newly announced ‘Stargate Project’ signals a massive acceleration in AI development that could reshape industries, the labour market, and the Australian regulatory framework.

“This investment is not just about technological AI advancement, but mostly about an acceleration of transformation of our institutions. It envisions a US-centric libertarian approach of the digital economy and raises concerns about who sets the rules for data governance, labour protections, and ethical boundaries.

“Large-scale AI initiatives like this one can rapidly eclipse existing regulations, shaping industries and social structures before the public or policymakers fully understand their implications. In Australia, several inquiries are underway to inform policy, including the Inquiry into the Digital Transformation of Workplaces.

“This announcement could prompt considerations on several issues: Should Australia tighten regulations or create a parallel AI infrastructure push? Might we try to impose more responsible, transparent frameworks on global tech players? Does more need to be done to further protect Australian data sovereignty?

“Calling the project ‘Stargate’ uses a sci-fi label and futuristic narratives to shape public imagination, pushing a faster adoption while sidestepping ethical and societal questions around the design, deployment and governance of AI. It is also showcasing the growing influence of tech entrepreneurs like Elon Musk or Sam Altman, presented as legitimate experts for policymaking with economic and societal impact. From Elon Musk’s Mars vision to OpenAI’s AGI ‘for the benefit of all humanity’, these futuristic imaginaries shape public discourse and policy agendas.

“Trump’s AI priorities for the US contrast with the recommendations provided by scientific experts across the world. Following an extensive consultation with over 200 academic experts from five continents, as well as over 11,500 citizens, key priorities have been identified for the upcoming 2025 AI Action Summit in France.

“Scientific experts across the world call for global AI governance through permanent oversight bodies, broader stakeholder inclusion, and clear red lines for advanced AI development. They emphasise trust in AI via enforceable safeguards, transparent policies, and an international safety network. For the public interest, they propose standardised auditing frameworks, a global charter of AI principles, and channels for citizen engagement. The future of work priorities include upskilling, workforce protection, and AI literacy programs. Finally, innovation and culture initiatives focus on promoting ‘green AI,’ protecting cultural data, and coordinating global research funding with an emphasis on ethics, alignment, and equity.

“As we enter a golden age of AI, it is our collective responsibility to ensure its benefits are shared equitably. The US accelerating its AI ambitions, while loosening regulatory constraints, will present other nations with a twofold challenge: how to remain globally competitive and innovative without compromising on ethical, social, and economic protections.”

Emmanuelle Walkowiak is a Vice-Chancellor’s Senior Research Fellow in RMIT’s School of Economics, Finance and Marketing. She leads the FLOW-GenAI initiative (Future of Labour, Organisation and Work with GenAI).

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