WASHINGTON — The White House said President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at promoting advanced artificial intelligence innovation while strengthening cybersecurity protections, directing federal agencies to work with industry on voluntary measures for evaluating powerful AI systems before their public release.
The executive order, signed on June 2 and highlighted by the administration as part of its technology agenda, seeks to expand the use of AI-enabled cybersecurity tools, improve protections for government and critical infrastructure systems, and establish a framework for cooperation between federal agencies and private-sector AI developers. The White House said the measure is intended to support U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence while addressing national security concerns associated with increasingly capable AI models.
According to the order, the Department of Homeland Security, the National Security Agency, the Treasury Department and other agencies are directed to take steps to strengthen cyber defenses and create an AI cybersecurity clearinghouse that would work with technology companies and critical infrastructure operators to identify and address software vulnerabilities. The administration also called for expanding federal cybersecurity hiring and exploring funding opportunities for AI-based security capabilities.
“It is the policy of the United States to promote AI innovation and security,” the executive order states, adding that the government will work with the private sector to modernize information systems and protect critical infrastructure from cyber threats.
A central element of the order is a voluntary framework under which developers of advanced AI systems may provide federal agencies with access to certain frontier models for up to 30 days before broader release. The administration said the process would allow government experts to evaluate cybersecurity risks and help protect sectors such as healthcare, banking and public services. The order specifies that it does not create a mandatory licensing, permitting or pre-approval system for AI models.
The measure follows months of debate in Washington and the technology industry over how to balance innovation with concerns about national security and misuse of increasingly advanced AI systems. The administration has emphasized a cooperative approach with industry rather than imposing broad regulatory requirements, according to White House statements and policy documents.
Several major AI companies, including firms cited by Reuters, expressed support for efforts to improve cybersecurity while maintaining flexibility for innovation. Industry representatives have said details of implementation will be important in determining how the framework operates in practice.
As of Monday, federal agencies were proceeding with deadlines outlined in the executive order, including plans for cybersecurity directives, staffing initiatives and the development of a process for evaluating advanced AI models. The administration has not announced additional regulatory requirements, and details regarding future implementation remain under development.
