Trump Creates Task Force to Challenge State Laws on AI

President Executes Order to Standardize AI Regulation

On Thursday night, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that calls for the creation of a national regulatory framework for artificial intelligence (AI), limiting the ability of states to regulate this emerging technology. The document states: "To win, American AI companies must be free to innovate without excessive regulations that hinder this necessity."

Litigation Task Force Challenges State Laws

One of the main points of the order is the formation of a Litigation Task Force on AI, which will be tasked with challenging state laws that do not align with the president's policy. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi will have 30 days to establish the group, which will meet regularly with David Sacks, the White House advisor on AI and cryptocurrency.

Limiting Federal Funding for States

The administration also plans to limit states' access to federal funds if they adopt regulations deemed burdensome. The Secretary of Commerce will focus on funding available through the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program, which includes an investment of $42.5 billion to expand access to high-speed internet in rural communities.

Criticism of Administration's Initiative

Advocacy groups immediately criticized the order. Alexandra Givens, president and CEO of the Center for Democracy and Technology, stated: "This executive order aims to discourage state-level actions to ensure oversight in the implementation of AI systems, without addressing the real and documented harms these technologies can cause."

She added that states seeking to protect their citizens should not be threatened with legal action or suffer penalties in broadband service funding.

History of Attempts at Federal Regulation

It is worth noting that previous attempts by Trump to restrict states' ability to regulate AI have been unpopular. During his proposal of the One Big Beautiful Bill, the president attempted to implement a 10-year moratorium on state regulations, but that clause was removed after a vote of 99 to 1 in the Senate.

Future Prospects on AI Regulation

The federal government's actions to consolidate AI regulation may spark a heated debate on the accountability and oversight of this technology, as the growth of AI is an increasing concern for citizens. How this task force will develop and the impact of its actions on state legislations remains to be seen.