President Donald Trump has signed a new Executive Order aimed at advancing artificial intelligence innovation while strengthening cybersecurity protections across the federal government and critical infrastructure sectors. The order directs federal agencies to prioritize the defense of National Security Systems, Department of Defense information systems, and civilian government networks as AI capabilities continue to evolve.
A key component of the order tasks the Department of Homeland Security, working alongside the Office of Management and Budget, the National Cyber Director, and other federal officials, with expanding access to AI-enabled cybersecurity tools and services. The effort is intended to support not only federal agencies, but also state and local governments and critical infrastructure operators, including rural hospitals, community banks, and local utilities.
The order also establishes a voluntary AI cybersecurity clearinghouse designed to help identify and address software vulnerabilities at scale through coordination between government, AI developers, and critical infrastructure operators. In addition, federal agencies are directed to explore funding opportunities for advanced AI cybersecurity capabilities and expand cybersecurity workforce recruitment and hiring initiatives.
Among the order’s other provisions:
- Development of a classified benchmarking process to evaluate advanced AI cyber capabilities and identify certain frontier AI models.
- Creation of a voluntary framework that would provide trusted government partners with secure early access to certain advanced AI models for cybersecurity purposes.
- Direction to the Department of Justice to prioritize enforcement against individuals who use AI to unlawfully access computer systems, steal data, damage networks, or facilitate other criminal activity.
The Executive Order also states that it does not authorize any mandatory federal licensing, permitting, or pre-clearance requirements for the development, publication, release, or distribution of AI models. According to the administration, the initiative is intended to address emerging cybersecurity and national security challenges while supporting continued innovation in artificial intelligence technologies.
The announcement builds on a series of administration actions related to AI and cybersecurity policy, including the release of an AI Action Plan, a National Cyber Strategy, and additional executive actions focused on AI governance and technology security.
Read the full Executive Order here and the Fact Sheet here.
