U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at restricting individual states from imposing their own artificial intelligence regulations while a national framework is developed.
The White House said a fragmented regulatory environment could undermine US competitiveness in AI, particularly against China, by creating inconsistent rules across states.
Trump’s adviser on AI policy, David Sacks, said the administration wants to avoid a “patchwork of 50 different regulatory regimes” governing an industry that operates across state lines, with AI systems often developed, trained and deployed in multiple jurisdictions. According to Sacks, more than 100 AI-related laws are already in effect at state level, with over 1,000 additional proposals under consideration.
The order directs the Department of Justice to challenge state laws deemed overly restrictive and allows the federal government to use grants and contracts to encourage alignment with national policy.
The measures are described as temporary, pending congressional approval of what the administration calls a minimally burdensome nationwide standard.
The White House has also criticised some Democratic-led states for imposing ideological requirements on AI development, while the administration and major technology firms continue to promote AI as a key driver of economic growth despite concerns about market risks, energy demand and community opposition to large data centres.
Image credit: Igor Umaliev
