The looming AI security executive order gets pushed back - The Daily Scoop Podcast

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The Daily Scoop Podcast: Episode Summary
Episode Title: The Looming AI Security Executive Order Gets Pushed Back
Date: May 22, 2026
Host: Billy Mitchell

Overview

This episode focuses on two urgent developments shaping US government technology policy:

The unexpected delay of a forthcoming executive order by President Trump, aimed at instituting a robust security testing and vetting regime for advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models.
The Department of Commerce’s $2 billion investment in quantum computing, targeting nine leading companies as part of US industrial and technological policy.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Delay of the AI Security Executive Order

Presidential Decision to Postpone
President Donald Trump unexpectedly delayed the signing of an anticipated executive order that would impose a 90-day vetting regime for "frontier" (cutting-edge) AI models.
- Quote (Host quoting President Trump):
  
  “He didn’t like certain aspects of it and expressed concerns that it could harm US AI industry competition with countries like China.” (00:33)
- The decision came only hours before the planned public announcement at the White House, catching many stakeholders off guard.
Details of the Draft Order
- The order would have established a voluntary testing regime for collaboration between the US government and frontier AI companies, allowing for government scrutiny of new models prior to their public release.
- Cybersecurity focus: The draft stipulated enhanced access for cybersecurity testers working in critical infrastructure sectors such as finance and healthcare.
- Agency Involvement:
  - National Security Agency (NSA) to conduct classified evaluations of the AI models.
  - Department of the Treasury to create information-sharing agreements between AI companies and cybersecurity defenders in the private sector.
  - Additional work from the Office of the National Cyber Director, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), and the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) in defining the scope of “covered” models.
    (00:54–02:10)
International Context and Evolving Relationships
- The US and the UK have already fostered early access for government regulators to test AI models before public release.
  
  “In some sense, the order would formalize an already cooperative relationship between AI companies and governments like the US and UK...” (02:20)
Expert Perspective
- A former federal official shared that this new order reflected “the federal government’s maturing understanding of AI technology over the past five years,” aiming for more coordinated, robust testing efforts than with earlier AI models.
  (02:38)

2. Quantum Computing Incentives from the Department of Commerce

$2 Billion Investment Announced
The US Department of Commerce signed letters of intent to distribute approximately $2 billion to nine quantum and microelectronics companies:
- Main recipients: Two foundry companies (GlobalFoundries and IBM) and seven quantum computing companies (Atom Computing, Dirac, D-Wave, Inflection, Psiquantum, Quantinuum, Rigetti).
- The biggest awards went to IBM ($1 billion) and GlobalFoundries ($375 million). The other companies received between $38 million and $100 million each.
  (03:07–03:48)
Purpose and Context
- The funding, part of the CHIPS and Science Act (2022), aims to strengthen domestic quantum computing research, manufacturing, and innovation, bolster US leadership in microelectronics, and generate thousands of high-paying jobs.
- The government will hold non-controlling equity stakes in each recipient to ensure taxpayer returns.
- Quote (Secretary of Commerce, Howard Lutnick):
  
  “The investments would build on our domestic industry and create thousands of high paying American jobs.” (03:41)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

President Trump’s Concerns:

“He didn’t like certain aspects of it and expressed concerns that it could harm US AI industry competition with countries like China.” (00:33)
Expert on Federal Government Evolution:

“...a reflection of the federal government’s maturing understanding of AI technology over the past five years.” (02:38)
Commerce Secretary on Quantum Investments:

“The investments would build on our domestic industry and create thousands of high paying American jobs.” (03:41)

Important Segment Timestamps

00:00–00:54: Introduction and overview of the delayed AI executive order
00:54–02:38: Details of the draft AI order, agency roles, and industry/government cooperation
03:07–03:49: Announcement of quantum computing investments, recipients, and context
03:41: Statement from Secretary of Commerce on job creation

Conclusion

In this episode, host Billy Mitchell breaks down the political sensitivities delaying major AI oversight in the US and highlights the government’s ongoing commitment to quantum computing as a means of maintaining technological leadership. The discussions underscore the balance between innovation, national security, and global competition as government leaders navigate an increasingly complex technology landscape.

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Transcript1 lines

[00:00]
A
Today on the Daily Scoop Podcast from the Scoop News Group, the looming AI Security executive order gets pushed back and the Department of Commerce readies $2 billion in quantum computing incentives for nine companies. It's Friday, May 22, 2026. Welcome to the Daily Scoop Podcast where you'll hear the latest news and trends facing government leaders. I'm the host of the Daily Scoop Podcast, Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for joining me. And now let's dive into the day's top headlines. President Donald Trump said he would postpone the release of an executive order that would set up a 90 day testing and vetting regime for frontier AI models hours before the White House was set to publicly announce the signing. Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office Thursday, Trump said he opted to delay the order because, quote, he didn't like certain aspects of it and expressed concerns that it could harm US AI industry competition with countries like China. According to multiple sources, a draft version of the order circulating in the previous 24 hours would have set up a voluntary testing regime between the US Federal government and frontier AI companies that would allow the government to study new models for 90 days before they're publicly released. In addition to the government, the draft order would also facilitate access to the models for cybersecurity testers in critical infrastructure sectors like finance and healthcare. The draft order empowered the National Security Agency to conduct classified evaluations of frontier AI models, while the Department of the treasury would have set up a new information sharing agreement between AI companies and cybersecurity defenders in critical infrastructure. Other agencies like the Office of the National Cyber Director, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the National Institute for Standards and Technology would also be involved in defining which models are covered under the vetting regime. In some sense, the order would formalize an already cooperative relationship between AI companies and governments like the US And UK where tech focused agencies and regulators have already been provided access to previous models ahead of their release for testing and evaluation. A former federal official who had already seen the latest draft circulated before Thursday's announcement told cyberscoop that based on their conversations with the administration, the order was intended to facilitate more robust testing from government agencies coordinate compared to evaluations conducted for previous models. They said it is in part a reflection of the federal government's maturing understanding of AI technology over the past five years. Now, moving on to other news, the Department of Commerce signed letters of intent to distribute roughly $2 billion in federal funds to nine companies in an effort to accelerate their work related to quantum computing. The deals will also give the department a non controlling stake in each company. The financial incentives come as part of the Chips in Science Act, a 2022 law focused on U.S. semiconductor production, and directly invest in manufacturing, research and innovation in microelectronics. Per a Thursday release, the equity stake the US Government would take in the companies is meant to enhance the return for the US Taxpayer. In a statement included in the announcement, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said the investments would build on our domestic industry and create thousands of high paying American jobs. Specifically, the awards will go to two domestic quantum foundry companies, GlobalFoundries and IBM, and seven quantum computing companies. The other companies were Atom Computing, Dirac, D Wave, Inflection, Psiquantum, Quantinuum and Rigetti. The most substantial funding is slated for the two foundry companies with 375 million for global foundries and 1 billion for IBM. The other companies received between 38 and $100 million each. Those new investments will support major business expansion for the awardees. For more news at the intersection of the federal government and technology, make sure to visit fedscoop.com the battlespace has entered a new era of relentless multi domain competition spanning land, air, sea, space, cyber and beyond. In this rapidly shifting environment, speed, precision, technology and information superiority are not just advantages, they are critical to modern warfare. Register today for GDIT's Emerge Battle Space of the Future June 2 at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, D.C. where military leaders, technologists and industry leaders will converge to explore the breakthroughs defining the future of warfighting and what it takes to secure and maintain strategic dominance in an increasingly contested world. For more information about the event and to register, make sure to visit gditbattlespace.upgather.com where or visit the events page on fedscoop.com thanks so much for tuning in to another episode of the Daily Scoop Podcast, available on all podcast platforms. If you've already rated the podcast on your platform of choice, thanks so much. High ratings and good reviews of the show help more people to find it. The Daily Scoop Podcast is a production of the Scoop News Group in Washington, dc. Adam Butler and Carlin Fisher help put the show together and the entire Scoop News Group team contributes. We'll be back next week with more top headlines. Until then, I'm your host Billy Mitchell. Thanks so much for listening.