Federal AI Rules: A Big Change for States

A new federal move could shake up how states handle artificial intelligence. On December 11, an executive order was signed. It's called "Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence. " This order tells federal agencies to focus on a national AI policy. They want it to be easy to follow. The order also wants to push back against state laws that don't fit with this plan. This order sees state rules as a big hurdle for AI growth. It says these rules make it hard for companies to follow the law. Startups, in particular, might struggle. To fix this, the order asks Congress to create one national standard for AI. It also wants the Justice Department to set up a team. This team would challenge state laws that block federal AI policies.For the AI industry, this order could mean more national rules and fewer state rules. Companies working across the country might not have to follow many different state laws. But the long-term effects depend on what Congress does. Congress has already shown some resistance to AI, like when they banned using Microsoft's Copilot AI. This order could speed up innovation and help startups compete. But it might also step on states' rights. Many Americans see states' rights as a key part of the country's foundation. The order does say states can still have a say in some areas. These include child safety and certain infrastructure matters. For now, it's a waiting game. The order asks for a plan to create a uniform federal AI framework. But until that happens, it's unclear how or when the federal government might limit state actions. States like California have their own AI safety and transparency laws. This order could disrupt the balance in the AI industry.