Executive Order 13960 of December 3, 2020 Promoting the Use of Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence in the Federal Government
This executive order establishes principles for the use of artificial intelligence in the federal government for purposes other than national security and defense. It mandates federal agencies to adhere to principles such as lawfulness, performance-driven design, safety, security, transparency, and accountability when using AI. Additionally, the order requires agencies to inventory non-classified and non-sensitive AI use cases and develop plans to achieve consistency with the specified principles.
Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.
Who issued it
Who it governs
Federal agency leaders, chief information officers, and personnel involved in the design, development, acquisition, and use of AI within the United States government.
What the document contains
The document addresses the principles for the ethical and trustworthy use of artificial intelligence within federal civilian agencies. It covers requirements for agency AI inventories, interagency coordination, recruitment of AI expertise, and the creation of implementation guidance by the Office of Management and Budget.
The order does not create any right or benefit enforceable at law or in equity against the United States. It explicitly excludes defense, national security systems, research and development activities, and AI embedded within common commercial products.
- Federal agencies must design, develop, acquire, and use AI in a manner that fosters public trust and protects privacy, civil rights, and American values.
- Agencies are required to adhere to nine specific principles, including being lawful, purposeful, accurate, safe, understandable, responsible, regularly monitored, transparent, and accountable.
- The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will develop or revise policy guidance and publish a roadmap within 180 days.
- Agencies must prepare and publish inventories of their non-classified and non-sensitive AI use cases and review deployed AI for consistency with the order.
- The order excludes the Department of Defense, intelligence community functions, common commercial products, and AI research and development activities.
· 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
How it scores
Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.
Human Dignity
2/5Respect 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
Sec. 1
screening score · 2026-10-23
Privacy
2/5Protection of personal data and private life
Agencies shall design, develop, acquire, and use AI in a manner that exhibits due respect for our Nation’s values and is consistent with the Constitution and all other applicable laws and policies, including those addressing privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties.
Sec. 3(a)
screening score · 2026-10-23
Impact Assessment
4/5Required 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.
Sec. 5(c)
screening score · 2026-10-23