In a notable move Thursday evening, President Trump signed an executive order establishing a national standard for artificial intelligence (AI), aiming to streamline regulations across the United States and preempt individual state laws. This initiative reflects the administration’s intention to centralize AI governance amid growing global competition, particularly from China.

Discussing the order from the Oval Office, President Trump emphasized the importance of cohesion in AI policy. “We need to be unified. China operates under a single directive with President Xi Jinping. Our system is different, yet it’s effective when we act intelligently,” he remarked, underscoring the necessity for a coordinated approach to AI development and regulation.