Record STMT-W632DB2Legally binding

Executive Order 13859 of February 11, 2019 Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence

Executive order State lawNorthern America · USadopted

This executive order establishes the American AI Initiative to coordinate federal strategy for artificial intelligence research and development, workforce training, technical standards, and data access. It directs federal agencies to prioritize AI in budgeting and R&D while safeguarding national security, civil liberties, and privacy. Additionally, the order mandates plans for regulatory guidance, technical standardization, and protection of American technology advantages.

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 bodiesAI developers and providers

Federal agency heads, policymakers, and researchers seeking to understand the United States government's strategic priorities for artificial intelligence.

Sectors

Cross-sector

What the document contains

What's covered

The document covers federal coordination of artificial intelligence research investments, broadening access to federal data and computing resources for AI testing, guiding federal agency regulation of AI applications, prioritizing AI education and workforce training, and protecting domestic technological advantage.

What's missing

The text does not create legally enforceable rights or obligations for private parties against the United States, nor does it detail specific technical safety requirements for commercial AI models.

Key takeaways

Launches the American AI Initiative to enhance United States leadership in artificial intelligence R&D and deployment.
Requires federal agencies to prioritize AI in R&D funding and planning beginning in fiscal year 2020.
Directs agencies to improve non-federal access to federal data, models, and high-performance computing resources for AI research.
Instructs NIST to develop a plan for federal engagement in AI technical standards and trustworthy systems.
Directs the Office of Management and Budget to issue regulatory guidance to reduce barriers to AI deployment while upholding American values.

Principles it states

Drive technological breakthroughs in AI across federal government, industry, and academia.Drive development of appropriate technical standards and reduce barriers to safe testing and deployment.Train current and future generations of American workers with the skills to develop and apply AI.Foster public trust and confidence in AI technologies while protecting civil liberties, privacy, and American values.Promote an international environment that supports American AI research while protecting technological advantages.

Outline

· Section 1. Policy and Principles
· Section 2. Objectives
· Section 3. Roles and Responsibilities
· Section 4. Federal Investment in AI Research and Development
· Section 5. Data and Computing Resources for AI Research and Development
· Section 6. Guidance for Regulation of AI Applications
· Section 7. AI and the American Workforce
· Section 8. Action Plan for Protection of the United States Advantage in AI Technologies
· Section 9. Definitions
· Section 10. General Provisions

Issued11 February 2019

Length2,965 words

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

1/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

shaping the global evolution of AI in a manner consistent with our Nation’s values, policies, and priorities.

Sec. 1

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Dignity

0/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Oversight

0/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

screening score · 2026-10-23

Privacy

3/5

Protection of personal data and private life

privacy and civil liberty protections for individuals who may be affected by increased access and use, as well as confidentiality protections for individuals and other data providers

Sec. 5(a)(iv)(A)

screening score · 2026-10-23

Transparency

3/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

Enhance access to high-quality and fully traceable Federal data, models, and computing resources to increase the value of such resources for AI R&D

Sec. 2(b)

screening score · 2026-10-23

Topics

artificial_intelligence federal_strategy research_and_development technical_standards workforce_training