A bipartisan group of U.S. House members on Thursday unveiled a bill that would block states from enacting laws specifically aimed at regulating the development of artificial intelligence models, while retaining states’ control over how the technology is used, according to Reuters.
The proposal was introduced by Rep. Lori Trahan, a Democrat from Massachusetts, and Rep. Jay Obanorte, a Republican from California. According to Reuters, the draft law would prohibit states from passing laws “targeting the development of artificial intelligence models,” but would not prevent them from regulating the application of AI technology.
The bill represents the latest effort in the ongoing debate about whether AI should be governed primarily through national frameworks or through a patchwork of state-level regulations. While technology companies and some federal policymakers argue that disparate state regulations create compliance burdens that can slow innovation, critics argue that states intervened because Congress had not yet established comprehensive AI safeguards. Previous attempts to broadly limit state AI regulation have faced significant bipartisan resistance from state officials and lawmakers, Reuters reported.
The release comes amid growing federal interest in establishing uniform AI standards. Earlier this year, the White House released an outline for a national AI policy framework that emphasized the importance of consistent rules across the country and warned that a fragmented regulatory landscape could hinder America’s competitiveness in the global AI race. Federal policymakers are increasingly considering ways to limit duplicative state regulations while maintaining protections from harms such as fraud, deepfakes and consumer abuse, according to Reuters and other policy analysis.
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Lawmakers are seeking public opinion on the measure before formally introducing it into parliament, Reuters reported. Obernolte said in a statement that he is “releasing this draft to the public for input from stakeholders, experts, and the public so that we can strengthen the law before it is formally introduced.”
The bill comes as states across the country continue to push forward with AI-related legislation. More than a dozen states have enacted laws addressing various aspects of artificial intelligence, from algorithmic discrimination and transparency requirements to protections against AI deception, according to legislative tracking organizations and policy researchers.
The proposal would shield AI model developers from state-specific regulation, but would leave states’ ability to regulate the deployment and use of AI systems in areas such as consumer protection and public safety intact, Reuters reported. The measure is expected to face intense scrutiny from both the tech industry and state regulators as Congress continues to consider the balance between innovation and oversight in the rapidly evolving field of AI.
Source: Reuters.
