In a significant move to reshape the landscape of artificial intelligence (AI) regulation in the United States, President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at preventing individual states from enforcing their own AI regulations. During a press briefing in the Oval Office, Trump emphasized the need for a unified approach, stating, “We want to have one central source of approval.” This executive order is designed to provide the Trump administration with the necessary tools to combat what they view as overly burdensome state regulations.
The newly signed order is seen as a victory for major technology companies that have long advocated for comprehensive federal AI legislation. White House AI adviser David Sacks noted that this initiative could significantly influence America’s ambition to lead in the rapidly evolving AI industry. He highlighted that while the government will not challenge regulations focused on children’s safety, the broader implications of state-level regulations could hinder innovation and place the U.S. at a disadvantage in its competition with China.
As tech firms invest billions into AI development, the fear is that fragmented regulations across states could slow down progress and create an inconsistent framework for the industry. Following the announcement, the BBC reached out to leading AI companies, including OpenAI, Google, Meta, and Anthropic, to gather their responses regarding this pivotal executive order.
Despite the support from tech giants, the executive order has faced significant backlash, particularly from California, home to many of the world's largest technology firms. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a vocal critic of Trump, condemned the order in a strongly worded statement. He accused the President of using the executive order to further his personal interests, stating, “Today, President Trump continued his ongoing grift in the White House, attempting to enrich himself and his associates.” Newsom pointed out that the order seeks to preempt state laws that are designed to protect citizens from unregulated AI technologies.
Earlier this year, Governor Newsom signed a bill mandating that large AI developers outline strategies to mitigate risks associated with their AI models. Other states, including Colorado and New York, have also implemented their own regulations governing the development of AI technology. Newsom believes that these state-level laws establish a standard that could be beneficial for federal lawmakers to adopt.
Critics of Trump's executive order argue that state laws are essential in the absence of effective federal guidelines. Julie Scelfo from the advocacy group Mothers Against Media Addiction asserted that removing the ability of states to enact their own AI safeguards infringes upon their fundamental rights. She stated, “Stripping states from enacting their own AI safeguards undermines states' basic rights to establish sufficient guardrails to protect their residents.” This sentiment reflects growing concerns about the need for appropriate oversight in an industry that is still developing and can have profound impacts on society.
As the debate continues, the implications of this executive order will likely resonate throughout the technology sector and beyond, shaping the future of AI regulation in the United States.