According to Yann LeCun on Twitter, the 2026 budget request for the National Science Foundation (NSF) by the Trump administration proposes a 55% reduction compared to 2024 levels (source: @ylecun, June 1, 2025). This significant decrease directly threatens federal funding for AI research, development, and foundational science in the United States. The budget cut could slow progress in core AI research areas, reduce opportunities for academic-industry collaboration, and weaken the U.S. position in the global AI race, potentially leading to a shift in AI talent and investment to regions with more robust government support. Businesses in the AI sector may need to seek alternative funding sources or adapt strategies to mitigate the impact of decreased federal investment.

According to Yann LeCun, as cited in The New York Times, the Trump administration systematically reduced support for scientific research, which directly impacted the development of artificial intelligence in the United States. The administration's rollbacks on research funding, reduction of federal science advisory roles, and restrictions on data transparency created barriers for AI innovation and limited the scope for public-private partnerships essential for AI commercialization. This shift in policy increased competitive pressure from global AI leaders and narrowed opportunities for American businesses seeking to leverage government-backed AI research for commercial applications (source: The New York Times, May 24, 2025; Twitter/@ylecun).