Executive Order 13960 Promotes Trustworthy AI in Federal Government — December 3, 2020
Executive Order 13960 directed U.S. federal agencies to advance the use of trustworthy artificial intelligence consistent with constitutional values, civil rights, and privacy protections.
The order required agencies to inventory current AI applications, designate responsible officials, and follow principles for lawful, purposeful, accurate, reliable, safe, and understandable systems. It emphasised risk assessments, training, and oversight before operational deployment.
- Governance requirements. Agencies must publish AI use-case inventories and implement impact assessments and test plans.
- Acquisition and data safeguards. The order calls for quality data, cybersecurity controls, and lifecycle monitoring.
- Civil rights alignment. AI solutions must comply with anti-discrimination, due process, and privacy obligations.
Federal teams building AI services use this order to justify governance boards, documentation standards, and transparency plans.
Follow-up: Executive Order 14110 on AI safety (October 2023) and OMB’s 2024 M-24-10 guidance build on the 13960 principles, tightening governance, transparency, and independent evaluation requirements for federal AI use.
Sources
- Executive Order 13960 of December 3, 2020 — Promoting the Use of Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence in the Federal Government — Executive Office of the President; Federal Register publication of EO 13960 outlining principles and requirements for federal AI use.
- Executive Order on Promoting the Use of Trustworthy Artificial Intelligence in the Federal Government — The White House; White House announcement describing the order’s focus on responsible AI adoption in federal missions.