The Trump administration is considering a plan to establish an independent regulator to review the safety of top-tier artificial intelligence models, with industry involvement, following complaints from Silicon Valley leaders about recent US efforts to restrict the release of advanced AI systems.
According to informed sources, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has helped develop the proposal. The plan would create an independent AI oversight body that would report to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, operating in a manner similar to the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (Finra). Sources indicate the proposal is currently under review by White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles.
This approach would provide greater certainty for leading AI labs like Anthropic PBC. Anthropic faced US export controls last month, forcing it to temporarily disable its Fable 5 and Mythos 5 models. OpenAI also made significant changes to its latest Sol model at the government's request prior to its release. Both companies have opposed government intervention, arguing the official response was disproportionate to the safety risks identified by US officials.
The proposal, sources say, aims to appease two key stakeholder groups: Wall Street firms seeking to minimize cybersecurity risks from AI, and Silicon Valley companies frustrated by what they see as inconsistent government oversight of the emerging technology. This still-developing framework would allow both industries to play a larger role in jointly establishing safety standards.
One source noted that former President Trump has not yet reviewed the plan. Officials have accelerated their work to provide clearer policy expectations for the AI industry. Sources added that Wiles typically only involves herself in policy debates on issues like tariffs or AI policy when they present a political risk to the president and require extensive coordination across various officials and agencies.
A White House official stated the administration is evaluating multiple options to solidify US leadership in AI and bolster cybersecurity. The US Treasury Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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