AI Oversight
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Tuesday creating a voluntary federal review process for advanced artificial intelligence systems that may pose national security risks. The order directs agencies to coordinate oversight before certain AI tools are released publicly, with the government given up to 30 days to assess qualifying systems.
The move comes less than two weeks after Trump postponed a planned White House signing ceremony, saying he was concerned an earlier version could slow U.S. technological progress. At the time, he told reporters he did not want policy changes to interfere with what he described as America’s lead over China and other competitors in AI.
The new order states that advanced AI can strengthen the country while also raising national security considerations. It does not require AI companies to participate, instead describing the process as voluntary collaboration with developers. A previous version was expected to involve U.S.-based firms including Anthropic, OpenAI and Google.
It remains unclear how much the signed order differs from the draft Trump declined to approve in May. The 30-day review window is shorter than some industry observers had anticipated, potentially limiting disruption for companies operating in a fast-moving market.
Juan Londoño, a policy analyst at the libertarian-leaning Cato Institute, called the order imperfect but said it could help the government prepare for the release of advanced AI systems. He also raised concerns about unclear standards for deciding which models receive scrutiny and which outside partners gain early access. He warned that vague rules could be used against companies in conflict with the administration.
The order follows heightened attention to Anthropic’s Claude Mythos model, which reportedly demonstrated strong capabilities for identifying cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Anthropic has restricted access to selected partners, including technology firms and banks, while expanding that group to 150 more organizations Tuesday.