Trump Promises Executive Order to Block State A.I. Regulations
In a recent announcement, President Trump declared his intention to issue an executive order this week aimed at curbing state laws regarding artificial intelligence (A.I.). This move is seen as a significant victory for a tech industry that has been lobbying for deregulation.
Federal Oversight of A.I. Regulations
Mr. Trump stated that he plans to create a federal order for A.I. rules and approvals to eliminate the increasingly complex patchwork of state laws that have emerged in recent years. He emphasized the urgency of this action, stating, “We are beating ALL COUNTRIES at this point in the race, but that won’t last long if we are going to have 50 States, many of them bad actors, involved in RULES and the APPROVAL PROCESS,” as he posted on Truth Social.
Details of the Executive Order
While specifics were not provided, a draft executive order circulated last month directed the U.S. Attorney General to take legal action against states to overturn existing A.I. laws. Additionally, federal regulators were instructed to withhold broadband grants and other funding from states that implement their own A.I. regulations.
Legal Challenges Ahead
The White House’s attempt to block state laws may face significant legal challenges. Some legal experts argue that the president lacks the authority to intervene in state legislation. Travis Hall, the director for state engagement at the Center for Democracy and Technology, stated, “The president cannot pre-empt state laws through an executive order, full stop. Pre-emption is a question for Congress, which they have considered and rejected, and should continue to reject.”
Impact of State Regulations
In the absence of federal regulation, states have begun passing laws requiring A.I. companies to:
- Test their models for safety
- Enhance privacy protections for consumers
- Ban deep fakes that could potentially disrupt elections
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, this year alone, all 50 states and territories introduced A.I. legislation, with 38 states adopting nearly 100 new laws.
Opposition to Moratoriums
Efforts to enact a moratorium on state A.I. laws have previously failed due to strong opposition from consumer and child safety groups. These organizations argue that eliminating state laws would result in a lack of necessary guardrails for A.I. technology.
Industry Lobbying for Deregulation
Venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz and companies such as OpenAI have actively lobbied federal regulators and the White House to block state laws. They argue that the current patchwork of state regulations presents challenges, particularly for start-ups and entrepreneurs. The firm stated, “That imbalance threatens the competitive dynamism that is so important to American innovation.”
As the discussion around A.I. regulation continues, the implications of Trump’s proposed order could significantly alter the landscape of technology governance in the United States.
