Trump's Bold Move to Control AI Rules

The Trump administration is taking a strong stance on artificial intelligence (AI) regulation. On Thursday, Trump signed an executive order that aims to challenge state laws governing the AI industry. This order sets up an "AI Litigation Task Force" within the Justice Department to sue states over their AI-related laws. The Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission are also involved, working to bypass what the administration calls "onerous" state and local regulations. Trump's AI advisor, David Sacks, clarified that not all state laws will be challenged. "Kid safety is a priority, " Sacks said. "We're not pushing back on that, but we will challenge the most burdensome regulations. " The order also directs the Commerce Secretary to study whether federal rural broadband funding can be withheld from states with unfavorable AI laws. Critics, including some of Trump's supporters, have spoken out against the order. Michael Toscano from the Institute for Family Studies called it a "huge lost opportunity" for the Republican Party. Adam Billen from Encode warned that the order could create legal uncertainty, making states hesitant to protect their residents. Despite the pushback, the Trump administration is moving forward. The order also directs Sacks to work with Congress to draft legislation. This comes as dozens of states have already passed AI-related laws, including bans on creating nonconsensual nude images using AI and mandates for disclosing AI usage. The Trump administration has been pushing for less AI regulation, citing competitive pressure with China. However, Trump recently allowed chipmaker Nvidia to sell its advanced AI chips to China, which some experts say could weaken the U. S. 's advantage in the AI race. The issue of AI regulation has divided Republicans. While some, like Sen. Ted Cruz, support the administration's move, others, like Sen. Josh Hawley, oppose it. Many Republican governors also disagree with the order. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis have both expressed their opposition on social media. Legal experts, like John Bergmayer from Public Knowledge, argue that the executive order may not hold up in court. Bergmayer pointed to a recent Supreme Court decision that supports states' rights to regulate interstate commerce, which includes AI.