Trump postpones AI order signing, 'didn't like' some aspects

US President Donald Trump postponed the signing of an executive order on artificial intelligence during a White House event with top CEOs on Thursday. Trump stated he 'didn’t like certain aspects' of the draft, claiming it could impede US dominance in AI development, particularly against China. 'I don’t want to do anything that’s going to get in the way of that lead,' he said, emphasizing AI’s role in job creation and economic growth. The executive order aimed to safeguard US computer systems from AI threats, including a new model called Mythos developed by startup Anthropic, which the company refused to release publicly due to safety concerns. The delay follows growing public backlash against AI, with protests at university events and voter opposition to data centers. Internal White House divisions emerged over the order’s scope, with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent advocating for stricter safeguards, especially against AI risks to financial institutions. Opposing him was David Sacks, Trump’s former AI advisor and a tech investor, who favored minimal regulation to avoid stifling innovation. Trump’s decision contrasts with his predecessor, Joe Biden, who in 2023 required AI companies to submit safety test results to the government. Trump revoked that order upon returning to office, positioning himself as a proponent of unchecked AI growth to maintain US competitiveness. The White House was still negotiating the duration of government access to AI models, with companies pushing for shorter review periods. The postponement highlights tensions between regulatory caution and Trump’s hands-off approach to AI development.