Trump Orders AI Models to Undergo Federal Review Before Release

On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order mandating that artificial intelligence companies voluntarily submit their models to the federal government for assessment prior to full public release.

According to CNBC, the order requests companies to participate voluntarily in a performance evaluation process aimed at assessing the "advanced cyber capabilities" of their AI models. It also requires companies to grant the government access to these models for up to 30 days before a wider rollout is planned. The government is authorized to assist in selecting trusted partners who will receive early access.

The order specifies, "Nothing in this section shall be construed to permit the establishment of a mandatory government license, prior approval, or authorization requirement for the development, deployment, release, or distribution of new AI models, including foundational models."

The surge in AI has driven semiconductor stocks to historic levels. Shares of chip companies propelled the S&P 500 index to a 16% increase during April and May, a monthly jump that has occurred only four times since 1950, based on Dow Jones market data.

CNBC reported that Trump signed the order quietly, just weeks after postponing a signing ceremony with top technology executives due to dissatisfaction with certain aspects, as he told reporters at the time.

On Monday, Anthropic, the developer of the Claude AI program, announced it had confidentially filed for an initial public offering with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Rival company OpenAI is also preparing for a potential public offering this year.

SpaceX, owned by Elon Musk and operating the AI lab SpaceXAI, is set to surpass both companies in the public market. Its shares are expected to be offered for public subscription as early as next week, potentially valuing the company at over one trillion dollars.

Trump’s AI executive order outlines several timelines for issuing further guidance and directives. It specifically calls on the Department of Defense to prioritize cybersecurity for its information systems.

The U.S. Department of Defense has sought to distance itself from Anthropic’s leading AI models, having classified the startup as a supply chain risk ahead of the launch of its Mythos program. This designation implies that Anthropic poses a threat to U.S. national security and prohibits defense contractors from using the company’s technology in their work with the department.

Anthropic has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration seeking to overturn this classification. The legal case remains ongoing.