tech
Trump abruptly cancels EO signing event after top AI firm CEOs declined to go
Trump delays AI safety testing EO, claiming it would be an innovation “blocker.”
TL;DR
- President Trump canceled an executive order signing for AI safety testing just hours before it was scheduled.
- The cancellation occurred after some leading AI firm CEOs declined to attend the event.
- The executive order aimed to grant the government the power to test frontier AI models before public release.
- Some AI executives reportedly urged Trump to call off the order, while others supported it.
- The tech industry lobbied against the order, fearing delays and setbacks in model development.
- Trump stated he canceled the order because he believed it could be a "blocker" and hinder the US's lead in the AI race with China.
- China's regulatory process for AI is accelerating, with new regulations on ethics review committees and plans for comprehensive legislation.
- There is internal discord within the US regarding AI regulation, with some agencies advocating for more governance and others for a light-touch approach.