The U.S. Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) released a draft of a plan for the federal creation of AI standards. The plan aims to meet the economic and national security needs of the United States and help the country maintain global dominance. "U.S. engagement in establishing AI standards is critical; AI standards developed without the appropriate level and type of involvement of U.S. interests may exclude or disadvantage U.S.-based companies in the marketplace, as well as government agencies," the draft report (PDF) reads. "Moreover, due to the foundational nature of standards, the lack of U.S. stakeholder engagement in the development of AI standards can negatively impact the innovativeness and competitiveness of U.S. interests in the long term." The document, titled "U.S. Leadership in AI: Plan for Federal Engagement in Developing Technical Standards and Related Tools, " was put together in response to a Trump executive order mandating the creation of a federal AI engagement plan within 180 days.