Trump dodges AI rules for now with latest executive order

• The order is an attempt to shore up the country's cyber defenses as models like Mythos reveal shocking cybersecurity vulnerabilities, but it doesn't compel AI companies to share information about their latest models.

Driving the news: The surprise move comes more than a week after Trump canceled the release of another version of the order with stricter requirements, saying it could have hurt American competitiveness.

What they're saying: "Advanced AI capabilities make our Nation stronger, but also introduce new national security considerations that require coordinated action across executive departments and agencies ... and components," the executive order states.  

• "As these capabilities evolve, my Administration will continue to work closely with industry to ensure that the best and most secure technology is deployed rapidly to confront any and all threats to our country."

What's inside: Per the executive order, national security agencies will be required to bolster cybersecurity abilities and create a "cybersecurity clearinghouse."

• Within 60 days, the Treasury Department, the National Security Agency, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the National Institute of Standards and Technology and White House officials must "develop and maintain a classified benchmarking process to assess the advanced cyber capabilities of AI models" and decide when a model should be treated as a "covered frontier model."

The intrigue: Former White House AI czar and current adviser David Sacks and National Economic Council deputy director Ryan Baasch pushed for language prohibiting the creation of mandatory government licensing, according to a source familiar.

• "Nothing in this section shall be construed to authorize the creation of a mandatory governmental licensing, preclearance, or permitting requirement for the development, publication, release, or distribution of new AI models, including frontier models."

Behind the scenes: Sacks was able to secure a shorter window for pre-deployment testing — 30 days — and a voluntary framework as some pushed to make it mandatory, according to a source familiar.

• He also secured agreement that the executive order should only apply to advanced models, the source added.
• Sacks has continued to play an influential role from his new perch outside the White House. The abrupt cancellation of the earlier executive order occurred after his involvement, though the president himself was also not keen on it.
• White House staff, Sacks and Trump discussed the executive order Monday, according to sources familiar. Other tech industry sources had told Axios negotiations were ongoing as of Tuesday morning.

Editor's note: This story has been updated with new details about the executive order and the negotiations behind it.