US President Donald Trump’s officials told multiple news outlets he is preparing to sign an executive order to provide government support for R&D of artificial intelligence (AI).

The so-called American AI Initiative will reportedly ask US agencies to prioritise investments in the technology, and direct them to give researchers access to federal data, algorithms and processing power.

It will also require the government to create standards for interoperable AI systems and ethical use; call for collaboration on AI with other countries; and ask US agencies to help prepare workers for changes to the job market brought about by the technology.

An administration official told CNN the goal of the programme is to ensure AI is “applied for the benefit of the American people”.

The move comes as countries across the globe ramp investments in the technology.

In January, the European Commission kicked off its AI4EU project, which includes partners from 21 countries and aims to drive AI adoption across industries.

China unveiled its own AI strategy in 2017, aiming to become a world leader in the technology by 2030, The New York Times reported.