The order is broad and aims to establish new standards for AI safety and security, protect Americans' privacy, advance equity and civil rights, stand up for consumers and workers, promote innovation and competition, and position the US to lead the global AI race. 

On Sunday, a White House official, who asked not to be named, told NBC News that AI has so many factors that effective regulations must be broad.

"AI policy is like running into a decathlon, and there's 10 different events here.

"And we don't have the luxury of just picking 'we're just going to do safety' or 'we're just going to do equity' or 'we're just going to do privacy.' You have to do all of these things," the official said.