What Trump’s switch on AI order says about WH divides over tech policy

What Trump’s switch on AI order says about WH divides over tech policy 

President Trump’s abrupt decision to pull an executive order on artificial intelligence testing has exposed a deeper divide in the White House over how to oversee the technology’s development without stopping its growth. 

© Illustration / Samantha Wong; Greg Nash; and Adobe Stock

After ushering tech leaders to the White House for a signing ceremony Thursday, Trump’s 11th-hour decision to scrap the order displayed his administration’s struggle  to land on a unified AI stance as Silicon Valley holds sway at the top. 

Trump told reporters Thursday he “didn’t like certain aspects” of the order, expressing concerns over how it could hinder the U.S. in its race with China to dominate AI development. 

The president reportedly reversed course after speaking with industry leaders, including former White House AI and cryptocurrency czar, David Sacks, who favors a more hands-off approach. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg also reportedly spoke with the president on Thursday.

“I think [the executive order] gets in the way of …we’re leading China, we’re leading everybody, and I don’t want to do anything that’s gonna get in the way of that lead,” Trump told reporters. “I really thought it could’ve been a blocker.” 

Earlier Thursday morning, the invited technology companies received notice it was postponed just hours before the ceremony was set to take place, sources familiar told The Hill. 

According to a draft of the order obtained by The Hill, the directive would have laid out a process for AI companies to volunteer their models for........

© The Hill