On Tuesday, President Donald Trump signed an artificial intelligence document, describing it as “morally binding,” alongside various tech leaders. This document appears to endorse a light regulatory framework for AI.
Under this accord, Trump and the tech executives asserted that tech companies bear the responsibility for minimizing AI-related safety risks. However, critics point to multiple incidents where AI systems have compromised government and company websites, arguing that the sector cannot effectively self-regulate.
“For a positive future for the American people and the world, every company must develop its technology responsibly, fostering trust with their customers and the public,” the White House Accord on Super Intelligence stated in a post from the president on Truth Social.
The agreement comes as Congress has not passed any legislation aimed at establishing safeguards for the AI sector.
As part of the accord, AI firms are encouraged to create internal controls to mitigate risks and collaborate with an independent auditor to evaluate their efficacy.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is also looking to compel AI companies to submit documents and provide testimony concerning the potential dangers their technologies may pose.
Trump, accompanied by key tech executives, remarked to reporters on Tuesday that he has witnessed “tremendous self-policing” within the industry and mentioned plans for a 10-person committee to oversee AI developments, as noted by CNBC.
Additionally, Trump indicated intentions to appoint a new AI czar within a week.
“President Trump has reiterated that the U.S. will take the lead in Super Intelligence while ensuring consumer protection. Thanks to him, major innovators in the field signed the White House Accord on Super Intelligence, promoting innovation and responsible tech advancement,” a White House official communicated in a statement.
A spokesperson from the White House did not respond to inquiries for comments from the DCNF.
House Speaker Mike Johnson stated that the principles of the accord are “voluntary on the part of the industry.”
“We need to collaborate to ensure our success is safe. If we execute this correctly, working with the president and all present, we can achieve safety,” said Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, during an event at the White House on Tuesday.
He further mentioned that discussions regarding potential regulations for AI safety are still ongoing.
Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, stated on X that the principle is clear: companies creating this technology hold primary responsibility for its safe development and deployment, and they must be held accountable for failures.
“The future of Super Intelligence will depend not only on its capabilities but on the trust it earns. By pursuing development with ambition, rigor, and responsibility, we can ensure that this remarkable technology enhances opportunities and improves lives for generations,” he added.
Lisa Su, AMD’s CEO, expressed being “very encouraged” by the event, suggesting a prevailing optimism and sense of accountability in the room. “Ultimately, it’s our responsibility to demonstrate the power of the technology while ensuring its safety,” she told reporters, as reported by CNBC.
However, David Sacks, a former AI and crypto czar for Trump, challenged the idea that AI firms could successfully self-regulate.
He pointed out that when an independent auditor flags a safety issue, directors have a fiduciary duty to address it, and insurance providers can refuse coverage if found to be in bad faith. Thus, even though the accord begins with internal measures, these must be verified through external audits and board oversight.
In a response to critics who downplay the accord as optional self-regulation, Sacks emphasized the importance of governance that follows the voluntary agreement.
“This approach is more practical than what some Democrats suggest — a halt to developing while rivals like China advance. They ought to acknowledge what President Trump has achieved,” he remarked.
This week, Trump also signed an executive order rebranding artificial intelligence as “Super Intelligence.”
Groups supporting AI initiatives hailed the accord, believing it would prevent companies from advocating regulations that serve their own interests.
“President Trump should be commended for rallying industry leaders to endorse the White House Accord on Super Intelligence. This agreement secures commitments to safety controls, external audits, and real oversight — without creating a regulatory environment that would favor certain companies. That’s a triumph for both the president and the American public,” stated a spokesperson for the Innovation Council.
Despite the optimistic outlook shared by tech executives and the Trump administration regarding the AI accord, safety experts warn that the continued threat of hacking and cybercrime indicates that the AI sector cannot be trusted to regulate itself.
“We are well past debating whether these technologies are harmful and need oversight. The crucial question now is whether we trust these companies to manage this on their own. Clearly, we shouldn’t. They’ve abandoned safety commitments in the past and will likely do so again. Self-regulation has contributed to significant safety issues,” criticized Anthony Aguirre, CEO of the Future of Life Institute.
He further added that the monumental risks of inaction — politically and ethically — are evident, as a considerable bipartisan majority calls for immediate regulation of Big Tech, especially in light of increasing threats of catastrophic incidents.
Chris MacKenzie, Vice President of Communications for Americans for Responsible Innovation, echoed the sentiment that while securing commitments for improved safety practices is a positive step, more stringent measures are necessary.
“For years, Big Tech has failed to uphold its promises to safeguard children online, respect privacy, and ensure safe product development. If we want accountability from these tech companies, mandatory, enforceable regulations must become law. Otherwise, we remain at the mercy of tech executives who have lost public trust,” he remarked.
Instances of AI targeting governments continue; AI agents attempted to breach Canada’s Library and Archives website earlier this year, in findings shared by Transluce. This follows similar hacking attempts by OpenAI on an Australian government healthcare site.
The signed accord signifies a new alignment between the AI industry and the Trump administration, which was previously divided over how to address AI safety measures.
In September, Amodei had called for a more cautious pace in AI development, citing potential risks to humanity, similar to sentiments expressed by prominent figures in the tech industry like Elon Musk and Sam Altman.
The Trump administration’s accord comes amid a Senate that, this week, left significant concerns unaddressed before upcoming midterm elections, including legislation regarding AI safety.
Also notably, the Senate rejected a bill that would have required data centers to contribute to costs associated with electrical grid updates, although it wouldn’t have mandated any substantial financial impact, according to lawmakers.
