Under Trump's watch, AI executives adopt a code of conduct

Leading figures in the artificial intelligence industry gathered at the White House and pledged to regulate themselves through a new code of conduct, according to France 24. The meeting, held under the watch of President Donald Trump, produced commitments framed as voluntary self-regulation rather than government-imposed rules.

The gathering satisfied Trump, who has opposed forms of regulation he views as capable of slowing the American AI industry's ability to compete internationally, particularly against China, France 24 reported.

Self-regulation as a competitive strategy

The adoption of a voluntary code rather than binding legislation reflects a broader tension in AI policy debates: industry leaders and the current US administration have generally favored approaches that preserve flexibility and speed of development, arguing that heavy-handed rules could cede ground to international competitors, especially China.

Critics of self-regulatory frameworks have historically raised concerns about enforceability, questioning whether voluntary pledges provide sufficient accountability compared with statutory requirements backed by regulatory bodies.

France 24's report did not specify the exact commitments contained in the code of conduct or name every company or executive who took part in the White House meeting.

The event adds to a series of recent moves by the AI industry to shape the terms of its own oversight, at a moment when governments worldwide continue to debate how aggressively to regulate rapidly advancing AI systems.