President Donald Trump announced a delay in signing a highly anticipated executive order aimed at tightening government oversight of artificial‑intelligence models before they are released to the public. The decision, made public at a White House press pool briefing on May 21, 2026, was framed by the president as a response to specific language in the draft that he felt could impede the United States’ competitive edge in AI development.
"I didn’t like certain aspects of it," Trump told reporters. "We’re leading China, we’re leading everybody, and I don’t want to do anything that’s going to get in the way of that leading." The comment underscored a broader concern that regulatory measures might slow the nation’s pace of innovation, especially as rivals abroad accelerate their own AI programs.
According to multiple reports, an additional, unconfirmed factor contributed to the postponement: a shortage of senior technology executives who could meet with the administration on short notice. Sources said several CEOs from leading AI firms were unable to travel to Washington, D.C., for the briefings that the order’s implementation would likely require.
The draft executive order would have assigned the Office of the National Cyber Director, alongside other federal agencies, the task of developing a systematic process to evaluate AI models for security vulnerabilities before they hit the market. Lawmakers and industry observers have long warned that unchecked AI releases could expose critical infrastructure to new forms of digital attack.
The timing of the order’s proposal aligns with growing alarm over two recent AI releases. Anthropic’s new model, Mythos, and OpenAI’s GPT‑5.5 Cyber have demonstrated an unsettling ability to locate and exploit software flaws at a speed that outpaces traditional security testing. Both models have sparked debate about the responsibilities of developers to ensure that powerful capabilities do not fall into the hands of malicious actors.
One of the most contentious provisions in the draft required AI companies to share advanced versions of their models with the government anywhere from 14 to 90 days before public launch. Critics argue that such a requirement could reveal proprietary technology and give the administration a de‑facto veto over new products. Supporters maintain that early access is essential for pre‑emptive risk assessment.
Trump’s hesitation appears rooted in the belief that the language surrounding this sharing requirement could become a “blocker” to the United States’ leadership position. He warned that an overly aggressive approach might discourage innovation or push AI development overseas, where fewer restrictions exist.
The delay leaves the policy landscape in flux. Industry leaders are watching closely for any revisions that might balance security concerns with the need for rapid advancement. Meanwhile, federal officials have not indicated a new target date for signing the order, leaving the next steps uncertain.
Questo articolo è stato scritto con l'assistenza dell'IA.
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