New bill discussion draft creates framework for AI governance that would freeze state laws protecting kids, workers, and consumers
On Thursday, Reps. Lori Trahan and Jay Obernolte proposed a new framework for AI governance, including measures to preempt all state AI laws regulating AI models prior to deployment. The new framework threatens to ban state laws that require oversight and accountability for the development of AI, instituting a three-year ban on states passing any related legislation. At stake are state laws protecting artists and creators, civil rights enforcement, and children online.
“This bill takes the current floor on state AI legislation and turns it into a federal ceiling, preventing state lawmakers from addressing emerging AI harms in an era of fast-moving technology,” said ARI President Brad Carson. “Over the past two decades, state lawmakers have proven to be a backstop for tech accountability, fighting for families and communities even as Congress has stalled on creating guardrails. Tying their hands would be a generational mistake. When we give Big Tech a pass to move fast and break things, as this bill does today, they break American communities.”
Over the past month, ARI and a coalition of organizations, including Public Citizen, Demand Progress, Design It For Us, Encode, and Massachusetts Indivisible have gathered thousands of petitions from Massachusetts voters opposing legislation that would preempt state laws. ARI launched ads this week in Massachusetts warning voters about the harmful impacts of freezing state AI laws.
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Americans for Responsible Innovation (ARI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to policy advocacy in the public interest, focused on emerging technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). Learn more at ARI.us.