A ban on state AI laws could smash Big Tech’s legal guardrails
1 min read
Summary
A draft of the proposed Republican reconciled budget for the next fiscal year contains a clause that would enact a ten-year halt on any state-level legislation pertaining to AI.
Supporters say the moratorium would avoid a patchwork of state regulations that could hobble AI development, but opponents say it could prevent workers’ and consumers’ protections at the state level and algorithmic auditing protections as well as restricting the actions of state governments themselves.
The language now adds conditions to state broadband funding that they adhere to the moratorium, and additionally covers criminal state laws, going further than the House version.
Critics warn the wide definition of AI could prevent any state laws relating to computers and create a “Wild West” situation., while supporters argue it will prevent overzealous state regulations that could impede AI development and allow US firms to compete with China.