State lawmakers across the U.S. are increasingly pursuing AI regulation, leading to a collision course with the Trump administration, which favors a single national standard to maintain American innovation against global competition from China.
- More than 1,000 state legislative proposals addressing artificial intelligence have been introduced nationwide.
- A Quinnipiac poll indicates 80% of Americans are “concerned” or “very concerned” about AI.
- The Trump administration has utilized executive orders and funding penalties to deter state-level regulations.
The Push for State-Level AI Regulation
In Utah, state representative Doug Fiefia, a former Google employee, has made the regulation of the tech industry a cornerstone of his campaign for state senate. Fiefia’s efforts include a proposal requiring companies to implement child safety protocols, though the measure was blocked with help from the Trump administration.
While Congress has seen little progress, state lawmakers are attempting to address the technology’s impact on the economy. In New York, Democratic leadership required major AI developers to report dangerous incidents to the state last year.
In Florida, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has convened a special legislative session to address the issue, pushing for parental controls for minors and prohibiting the use of an individual’s likeness without permission.
Federal Conflict and Executive Orders
The White House argues that a patchwork of varying state laws could handicap American innovation. To prevent this, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that includes legal threats and funding penalties to discourage new state regulations.
A White House framework for potential congressional legislation suggests preempting state laws deemed “too burdensome,” although it would allow some rules regarding copyright material and the protection of children.
Despite these federal pressures, state proposals continue to grow. Common initiatives include barring the use of AI for nonconsensual pornography and requiring chatbots to disclose that they are not human.
Bipartisan Concern and Industry Pushback
Public apprehension regarding the technology is widespread. According to a recent Quinnipiac poll, roughly 9 in 10 Democrats and 6 in 10 Republicans want increased government involvement in regulating AI.
The most significant regulations to date have passed in California and New York, focusing on catastrophic risks, such as AI-controlled nuclear plant meltdowns or models that refuse human direction.
However, resistance remains strong in some Republican circles. Utah State Senator Daniel McCay, who is challenged by Fiefia, argued that excessive regulations could drive the state out of the AI innovation business.
Legislative Challenges and Lobbying
A loose network of former tech employees now serving as state lawmakers, including Fiefia and Vermont Democrat Monique Priestley, are collaborating via the Future Caucus to share legislative ideas.
Priestley noted the difficulty of opposing industry interests, stating that 166 of Vermont’s 482 registered lobbyists weighed in on her data privacy bill last year. She described the experience as fighting against an “army of full-time lobbyists.”
Similarly, Alex Bores, a former Palantir data scientist and current congressional candidate in New York, has faced significant opposition. A pro-AI campaign committee has spent $2.3 million against his candidacy following his role in writing New York’s AI reporting law.
Fiefia maintains that standing up for states’ rights is essential, even when a fellow Republican is in power. He disagrees with the Trump administration’s preference for zero AI regulation, stating it is a necessary fight for the human race.
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