Trump signs executive order seeking early government access to AI models

New Framework for Model Review

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday that requests artificial intelligence developers provide the federal government with early access to "frontier models". The order establishes a voluntary framework intended to allow the government to vet and test powerful AI systems for safety issues before they are deployed to the public.

The directive was signed in private. Under the new rules, tech companies will be asked to share their models with the government for review on a voluntary basis. This approach asks companies to keep the government in the loop about their work, while leaving the decision to participate at the discretion of the developers.

National Security and Cybersecurity Focus

The executive order is described as an effort by the president to address national security threats and tighten cybersecurity defenses. Specifically, the order directs several federal agencies—including the Pentagon, the Treasury Department, and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)—to strengthen the nation's cybersecurity protections for critical infrastructure.

As part of these efforts, the administration aims to give officials the opportunity to brace the economy against potential security risks associated with advanced AI. The order also directs officials to create a classified system designed to evaluate the cybersecurity capabilities of advanced AI models.

Implementation and Benchmarking

The executive order sets a 60-day deadline for several entities to develop a classified benchmarking process. This group includes the Treasury Department, the National Security Agency (NSA), CISA, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and White House officials.

This benchmarking process is intended to assess the advanced cyber capabilities of AI models. Through this process, the designated agencies will determine when a specific model should be officially categorized as a "covered frontier model".

Internal Administration Dynamics

The final language of the order reflects internal White House deliberations. Former White House AI czar and current adviser David Sacks, along with National Economic Council deputy director Ryan Baasch, pushed for specific language that prohibits the creation of mandatory government licensing.

Reports indicate a rift within the administration regarding the level of regulation. While some officials sought a more rigid structure, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly favored a regulatory framework where companies provide information at their own discretion. This voluntary approach resembles an earlier proposal that President Trump had previously shelved.