US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order endorsing a plan to halve the number of vaccines currently recommended for children, the Guardian reports.

The order directs health agencies to reassess the current vaccination schedule, reducing “non-core” vaccine recommendations. Medical experts have strongly opposed the move, warning it could leave millions of children unprotected against serious diseases such as measles and polio.

The American Academy of Pediatrics issued a statement saying the current vaccination schedule is backed by decades of scientific research and is one of the most effective tools for protecting children’s health.

Public health experts warn the policy change could negatively impact global vaccination confidence.

According to CNN, President Trump could sign a significant executive order on artificial intelligence as soon as Thursday (May 22). The order is expected to cover several key areas, including AI regulatory frameworks, high-end chip export controls, and AI safety standards.

This would be the most comprehensive AI policy initiative of Trump’s second term. The executive order is expected to require federal agencies to follow unified safety assessment standards when procuring AI systems, while also introducing new transparency requirements for AI model training and deployment.

On chip exports, the order may further tighten restrictions on high-end AI chip exports to specific countries, aiming to maintain US technological leadership in artificial intelligence. The order will also address norms governing AI use in military and intelligence applications.

The tech industry has reacted cautiously to the news. Analysts note that the specific provisions of the executive order will directly impact the global competitiveness of US AI companies, particularly in their technological rivalry with Chinese firms.

Previously, the US government has taken multiple AI-related steps, including establishing the National AI Safety Institute and issuing AI safety guidelines. This executive order is seen as a further strengthening and systematization of the existing AI policy framework.

The White House has not yet released the specific content of the order. A press conference with detailed interpretation is expected following the signing.

Source: CNN