Executive Order 13859: Maintaining American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence
President: Donald J. Trump
Launched a federal artificial-intelligence initiative covering research priorities, data access, technical standards and workforce planning.
Status: In effect. Sources: Official source · Official source.
Is Executive Order 13859 still in effect? Yes. Executive Order 13859 of February 11, 2019 remains unrevoked. Its AI research and coordination framework includes continuing duties, including annual agency plans for AI education and workforce training under section 6(a), rather than a fixed expiration date.
What does Executive Order 13859 do?
EO 13859 established the American AI Initiative, coordinated through the National Science and Technology Council's Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence. Federal research agencies were to consider AI in budget planning; agencies were to review access to federal data and computing resources within safeguards. OMB was tasked with guidance on regulatory and nonregulatory approaches, while NIST was directed to prepare a plan for federal participation in technical standards. The directions operated under existing legal authority and appropriations.
Later primary evidence reviewed September 24, 2026: NIST released the federal plan for engagement in AI technical standards that the order had requested. The plan documents a standards work product, not adoption of every proposed standard or outcome of the whole initiative.
Before and after
Before the order
Federal agencies already funded AI research and held data, but the order introduced a coordinated set of research, access, standards and workforce instructions.
After the order
Agencies received planning and guidance assignments rather than an immediate nationwide AI rule.
NIST later released the federal AI technical-standards engagement plan requested by the order; that release does not establish adoption of every standard.
Who had to do what
| Agency / office | Action | Timing / position |
|---|---|---|
| National Science and Technology Council Select Committee on AI | Coordinate the American AI Initiative and identify implementing agencies. | During implementation |
| Office of Management and Budget | Prepare guidance on regulatory and nonregulatory approaches to AI applications with White House partners. | Within 180 days |
| National Institute of Standards and Technology | Prepare a federal AI technical-standards engagement plan. | As directed in the signed order |
What happened next
EO 13859 signed; the linked Federal Register record gives its published text.
NIST released the federal plan for engagement in AI technical standards that the order had requested.
Later primary evidence reviewed; the documented action and its limits were added to this guide.
Legal and source detail
How it works legally
The signed order and NIST — federal AI standards plan document the directive and the dated subsequent step. The plan documents a standards work product, not adoption of every proposed standard or outcome of the whole initiative.
Sources by type
If a source is unavailable, first check the cited publisher or another official repository. The cited publisher remains the authority.
Primary and official sources
Orders, laws, court records and official implementation material.
- NIST — federal AI standards plan (opens in a new tab) Official record
How we checked this
Last checked against the sources above on September 24, 2026. How we research →