Trump abruptly cancels EO signing event after top AI firm CEOs declined to go

Donald Trump abruptly canceled an event to sign an executive order allowing the government to test frontier AI models. The cancellation occurred after several leading AI executives declined to attend on short notice, despite some making rapid travel arrangements.

The proposed executive order faced significant opposition from the tech industry due to concerns that safety testing could delay model launches or necessitate changes impacting development. While OpenAI reportedly supported the signing, figures like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg were said to have urged Trump to reconsider.

Trump officially stated he "didn't like certain aspects" of the order, specifically worrying it could hinder the US's competitive edge in AI against China. Despite this, some in his administration advocated for safety testing after cybersecurity risks were identified with Anthropic's Mythos model.

One point of contention between the administration and AI firms was the testing timeline: the government favored up to 90 days, while labs pushed for a mere 14 days. The order aimed to identify vulnerabilities and protect critical sectors from cyberattacks.

The global context highlights a "potentially more important race" in governing powerful AI without stifling innovation. China is accelerating its regulatory processes, while the US faces internal discord on its approach to AI governance. Concerns about national security risks are paramount, with Vice President JD Vance emphasizing the protection of data and privacy.

Moving forward, Trump's actions on AI safety will be closely scrutinized, not only by his administration but also by international partners. A recent agreement with Chinese President Xi Jinping to launch an intergovernmental dialogue on AI underscores the shared need to navigate emerging national security risks.