President Trump quietly signed a narrowed executive order Tuesday focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, tasking federal agencies with bolstering national security capabilities. The move comes after Trump abruptly canceled a stricter version of the order last week, citing concerns about hindering American competitiveness.
Key Provisions
The order requires national security agencies to strengthen cybersecurity measures and establish a 'cybersecurity clearinghouse.' Within 60 days, the Treasury Department, National Security Agency, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and White House officials must develop a classified benchmarking process to evaluate the advanced cyber capabilities of AI models and determine when a model should be classified as a 'covered frontier model.'
'Advanced AI capabilities make our Nation stronger, but also introduce new national security considerations that require coordinated action across executive departments and agencies,' the executive order states.
Industry Influence
The order includes language prohibiting mandatory government licensing or preclearance for AI model development, a provision pushed by former White House AI czar David Sacks and National Economic Council deputy director Ryan Baasch. Sacks, now an external adviser, played a key role in shaping the order after the cancellation of the earlier draft, which he and Trump opposed.
This executive order represents a cautious approach to AI regulation, emphasizing cybersecurity and national security while avoiding stringent industry requirements that could stifle innovation.