US executive order links AI innovation with cybersecurity and national security goals
A new US executive order establishes a framework for cooperation between government and AI developers, with a focus on strengthening cybersecurity, protecting critical infrastructure, and assessing risks associated with advanced AI models.
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order titled Promoting Advanced Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Security, setting out a federal strategy that combines support for AI development with measures aimed at addressing cybersecurity and national security risks associated with increasingly capable AI systems.
The order directs federal agencies to strengthen the cybersecurity of government systems and expand the use of AI-enabled defensive tools. It also instructs the Department of Homeland Security, through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), to develop guidance and programmes that support the use of AI for cyber defence and critical infrastructure protection.
A central element of the order is the creation of a voluntary framework under which developers of advanced or “frontier” AI models may provide the federal government with early access to their systems before public release. According to the White House, the framework is intended to help identify cybersecurity and national security risks while supporting secure innovation.
The administration also plans to develop a classified benchmarking process to evaluate advanced AI cyber capabilities and identify models that may warrant additional scrutiny. Federal agencies will work with industry partners to establish procedures for reviewing and testing these systems.
The order reflects a shift toward voluntary cooperation rather than mandatory regulation. Reports indicate that earlier proposals involving stronger pre-release requirements were narrowed before adoption, with the final text avoiding licensing requirements or mandatory government approval prior to deployment.
The White House said the policy is intended to maintain US leadership in AI while protecting government networks, critical infrastructure, intellectual property, and national security interests. The administration has also directed agencies to accelerate the deployment of AI-enabled cybersecurity capabilities across federal systems.
Under the order, several agencies must deliver implementation measures within 30 to 60 days, including cybersecurity directives, AI security frameworks, and procedures for collaboration with private-sector AI developers.
