President Donald Trump abruptly postponed the signing of a highly anticipated executive order on AI and cybersecurity Thursday, citing concerns over unnecessary regulation and its potential impact on American competitiveness. The event, which was set to feature tech CEOs and advisers, was canceled hours before the scheduled signing.
Behind the Scenes: Regulatory Pushback
According to sources familiar with the discussions, Trump's hesitation stemmed from his aversion to regulation, a sentiment shared by key adviser David Sacks. 'He just hates regulation,' one source stated, adding that Sacks also 'hated it.' The executive order, aimed at addressing AI safety and cybersecurity, was deemed 'unnecessary' by some within the administration and industry.
'I didn't like certain aspects of it. I postponed it,' Trump told reporters. 'We're leading China, we're leading everybody, and I didn't want to do anything to get in the way of that lead.'
Industry and Government Infighting
The delay highlights ongoing disagreements between tech leaders, government agencies, and Trump's advisers over the role of regulation in AI development. Questions were raised about the Treasury Department's involvement in coordinating security vulnerabilities, a role traditionally handled by cybersecurity experts. 'It's not clear just objectively speaking why Treasury is involved,' one industry source noted.
While leading tech companies have broadly supported voluntary testing and guardrails for AI models, the postponement leaves the timeline for any regulatory action uncertain. The White House is reportedly working on additional AI security initiatives, but details remain unclear.