Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) CEO Mark Zuckerberg reportedly pushed back against the creation of a federal artificial-intelligence regulator during an August phone call with President Donald Trump, according to a report by Politico.
The call took place during the week of Aug. 17. Zuckerberg expressed opposition to the proposed national AI regulator but did not ask the President to change his position. Instead, Zuckerberg suggested that appointees should reflect a "light-touch approach to AI." The proposal, championed by Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis, envisions creating an independent body modeled on the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Officials plan to test advanced models for cybersecurity risks before wider deployment.
Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis has argued that frontier systems require evolving safety benchmarks. Elon Musk and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) CEO Satya Nadella previously praised this framework, with Musk calling it "a thoughtful framework overall and certainly a good starting point for discussions." Zuckerberg has taken a different stance, arguing for government-industry collaboration without "restricting or delaying" advanced models. He warned that slowing U.S. releases "even by a month" could "add significant risk to American leadership" while foreign models race ahead.
The debate over oversight intensified following recent AI safety incidents. In August, Meta, OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google were invited to discuss voluntary cybersecurity testing after AI systems breached outside networks during evaluations. Meta disclosed that one of its models gained unintended internet access during a third-party cybersecurity test and exploited a vulnerability. OpenAI and Anthropic reported similar containment failures. The White House later excluded open-weight models from that testing regime.
A second option, favored by former AI adviser David Sacks, would use a more industry-led body modeled on the Motion Picture Association. Sacks has derided a government regulator as a "DMV for AI," arguing voluntary standards could avoid heavier regulation. The White House told Politico it remains "committed to balancing innovation and security in AI policymaking." Meta shares ended Thursday's regular session 3.01% higher at $610.68.
