Illinois lawmakers are determined to uphold protections against artificial intelligence despite President Trump’s executive order aimed at limiting state regulations. They argue the order represents federal overreach and undermines state laws ensuring the safe and ethical use of AI.
The FDA announced that consumer wearables providing general health information, such as calorie counters or sleep monitors, will not be subject to regulation. This decision supports AI development in healthcare while ensuring patients do not rely on unverified data for medical decisions.
Inputting privileged advice into public AI tools risks losing confidentiality, as such information may be treated as published. Legal professionals must avoid sharing confidential information without client consent to comply with regulatory duties.
Experts predict that by 2026, the initial AI hype will diminish, leading to a more practical focus on governance and everyday applications. Additionally, companies are expected to delay 25% of their planned AI spending into 2027 as they seek to demonstrate tangible ROI.
J.P. Morgan Asset & Wealth Management announced it will stop using third-party proxy advisory firms for U.S. proxy voting, opting for its AI-powered internal platform, Proxy IQ. This move reflects increased regulatory scrutiny and signals a shift toward more customized voting recommendations in the proxy advisory industry.
The U of M Media Lab is resuming events with a focus on AI ethics through the “Beyond the Prompt” initiative. The first guest lecture by artist Trevor Paglen will connect AI history with Cold War military projects on January 15.
Amid national efforts toward deregulation, South Carolina is considering AI regulations in response to an MIT report highlighting AI’s potential to replace 11.7% of U.S. jobs. Local advocates emphasize the importance of state-level protections to ensure user safety and data privacy.
Organizations are discovering that effective governance of unstructured data is fundamental to AI success, surpassing reliance on models or computing power alone. Proper data governance mitigates risks and enables full AI potential.
As of January 8, 2026, the EU is strengthening enforcement of the EU AI Act by adopting a “super-regulator” model enforcing mandatory transparency on General-Purpose AI providers. This escalation is triggering geopolitical tensions with the US over regulatory compliance and trade concerns.
On December 29, 2025, Meta announced its multi-billion-dollar acquisition of Manus, an AI start-up with Chinese origins that underwent significant offshore restructuring. The transaction raises complex regulatory issues in China, including merger control, national security reviews, and technology export controls.