Trump’s Draft Order Challenges State AI Regulations
▼ Summary
– President Trump is considering an executive order to challenge state AI regulations through lawsuits and withholding federal funding.
– The order would create an “AI Litigation Task Force” to sue states over AI laws that allegedly violate federal statutes like free speech and interstate commerce.
– It specifically targets recent AI safety laws in California and Colorado that require transparency reports from AI developers.
– Big Tech groups and a super PAC are lobbying against state AI regulations, advocating instead for federal laws to avoid a “patchwork” approach.
– Critics, including the ACLU, argue the order undermines trust in AI safety, while House Republicans are pushing for a moratorium on state AI laws.
A potential executive order from the Trump administration is poised to confront state-level artificial intelligence regulations through legal challenges and financial pressure. This move signals a significant federal push to centralize AI governance, directly impacting how emerging technologies are managed across the United States.
According to sources familiar with the matter, President Donald Trump may sign the order, titled “Eliminating State Law Obstruction of National AI Policy”, within days. The draft instructs Attorney General Pam Bondi to establish an “AI Litigation Task Force” with the authority to sue states whose AI rules are deemed to conflict with federal statutes, particularly those safeguarding free speech and interstate commerce. A White House spokesperson declined to confirm specifics, stating that discussions about possible executive actions remain speculative.
The proposed task force would collaborate with White House technology advisors, including Special Advisor for AI and Crypto David Sacks, to identify states enacting regulations that, in the administration’s view, infringe on constitutional principles. The draft specifically mentions requirements that “force AI models to alter their truthful outputs” or mandate disclosures that could violate the First Amendment. It singles out recently passed AI safety legislation in California and Colorado, which compel developers to issue transparency reports detailing model training processes.
Major technology trade organizations, such as the Chamber of Progress, supported by Andreessen Horowitz, Google, and OpenAI, have actively opposed these state initiatives. They argue that a fragmented regulatory landscape stifles innovation and have advocated instead for a unified federal framework to guide AI development. Industry leaders contend that varying state laws create compliance burdens that slow down technological advancement.
Cody Venzke, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, expressed concern over the draft order’s implications. “If the President wants to win the AI race, the American people need to know that AI is safe and trustworthy,” Venzke stated. “This draft only undermines that trust.”
The administration’s initiative coincides with intensified lobbying efforts from Silicon Valley against proponents of state AI regulation. A super PAC financed by Andreessen Horowitz, OpenAI cofounder Greg Brockman, and Palantir cofounder Joe Lonsdale recently launched a campaign targeting New York Assembly member Alex Bores, who introduced a state AI safety bill.
Simultaneously, House Republicans have revived a proposal to impose a nationwide moratorium on state AI regulations, after a previous version of the legislation did not pass. This renewed effort underscores a broader political strategy to preempt diverse state approaches in favor of a cohesive national policy.
(Source: Wired)
