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Record STMT-W04AC21Legally binding

Executive Order 13960 of December 3, 2020 Promoting the Use of Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence in the Federal Government

Executive order State lawUSin force

Executive Order 13960 establishes a set of principles for the use of artificial intelligence in the Federal Government, aiming to promote trustworthiness, transparency, and respect for American values while protecting privacy and civil liberties. It directs federal agencies to inventory their non-classified AI use cases, develop implementation plans, and align with upcoming policy guidance from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The order excludes national security systems and defense applications, which are governed by separate ethical frameworks.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

United States GovernmentGovernment · US
Lead issuer
Legal forceLegally binding
Under whose authorityState law
Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

National governmentRegulatorsPublic sector bodies

Federal agency officials, CIOs, and policymakers responsible for designing, acquiring, and deploying artificial intelligence in the U.S. government.

Sectors
Public administration · federal government operations

What the document contains

What's covered

The document addresses the principles governing federal agency use of artificial intelligence, agency inventories of AI use cases, interagency coordination bodies, and strategies for building AI implementation expertise within the federal workforce. It sets timelines for agencies to review existing AI applications, establish compliance plans, and disclose inventories to the public.

What's missing

The text does not create any legally enforceable rights or remedies against the United States, nor does it apply to military and intelligence community AI systems or commercial commercial off-the-shelf applications.

Key takeaways
  • Federal agencies must adhere to nine core principles when designing, developing, acquiring, and using artificial intelligence.
  • Agencies are required to inventory their non-classified and non-sensitive AI use cases within specified timelines and make them publicly available.
  • The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is directed to produce a roadmap and update policy guidance to support the use of AI in government.
  • The order specifically excludes defense systems, national security systems, commercial off-the-shelf software products, and pure research and development activities.
Principles it states
Lawful and respectful of our Nation's valuesPurposeful and performance-drivenAccurate, reliable, and effectiveSafe, secure, and resilientUnderstandableResponsible and traceableRegularly monitoredTransparentAccountable
Outline
· Section 1. Purpose
· Sec. 2. Policy
· Sec. 3. Principles for Use of AI in Government
· Sec. 4. Implementation of Principles
· Sec. 5. Agency Inventory of AI Use Cases
· Sec. 6. Interagency Coordination
· Sec. 7. AI Implementation Expertise
· Sec. 8. Responsible Agencies and Officials
· Sec. 9. Scope of Application
· Sec. 10. General Provisions
Issued3 December 2020
Length2,828 words · 5 pages
FormatNot recorded
Scopenational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Fairness

3/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

protecting privacy, civil rights, civil liberties, and American values, consistent with applicable law

Section 1

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Dignity

3/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

Agencies must therefore design, develop, acquire, and use AI in a manner that fosters public trust and confidence while protecting privacy, civil rights, civil liberties, and American values

Section 1

screening score · 2026-10-23

Impact Assessment

4/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

As part of their respective inventories of AI use cases, agencies shall identify, review, and assess existing AI deployed and operating in support of agency missions for any inconsistencies with this order.

Section 5

screening score · 2026-10-23

Topics

artificial_intelligence federal_government trustworthy_ai ai_ethics public_sector