Closed-Door AI Framework Surprises Tech Policy Sector

The Trump administration’s recent decision to keep its new framework on government AI testing confidential took the tech policy community by surprise. Many had been waiting for months for details on the controversial process. Originally, the framework was anticipated to clarify the process and benchmarks for government testing of private AI models before their public release.

On Tuesday, the White House convened a meeting with some of the largest AI labs to discuss the framework. However, attendees were informed that the framework would not be made public, according to sources familiar with the briefing. Neil Chilson, head of AI policy at the Abundance Institute, expressed disappointment, stating that they had hoped for clarity and certainty about the process, which now seems harder to achieve.

Representatives from AI labs such as Anthropic, Meta, OpenAI, and Microsoft attended the briefing. According to reports, staff from Nvidia and other smaller companies were also present. It remains uncertain if companies that did not attend will gain access to the framework.

Multiple agencies were ordered to establish a classified benchmarking process within 60 days to evaluate AI model capabilities. Although these benchmarks are to stay confidential, a “voluntary framework” was also called for. This framework would outline the criteria for a company to be considered a “covered frontier model” and describe collaboration with the government to select trusted partners with early model access.

The Foundation for American Innovation has filed a Freedom of Information Act request with the White House’s Office of Cyber Director. The request seeks the release of the framework, according to Samuel Hammond, the chief economist and AI policy director at the think tank.

In other news, NASA has extended the life of the Voyager 2 probe, AI has been used to create synthetic viruses with novel genomes, and a New Mexico court has ordered Meta to pay $567 million in a child safety case. Additionally, President Trump commented on the advantages of data centers, opposing some political stances against them.