President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week that looks to override AI state laws in favor of a national policy. Titled "Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence," it directs the Department of Justice to establish an AI Litigation Task Force and challenge "cumbersome" state laws. It also asks the Secretary of Commerce to consider withholding federal funds from states found to have restrictive AI laws. In this podcast, Michael Bennett discusses what the EO means for states like New York and California, which already have established laws in place, and how they might respond.

Featuring: Michael Bennett, Associate Vice Chancellor for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Strategy, University of Illinois Chicago

In this episode, we cover how:

• The EO aims to prevent conflicting state laws on AI.

• States with existing AI regulations are likely prepared to resist the EO.

• The U.S. has a more laissez-faire approach to AI regulation compared with the EU and China.

• The order could lead to significant political battles leading up to the midterm elections.

• The effectiveness of minimal regulation in winning the AI race is uncertain.

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References:

• Navigating Big Tech’s Influence on the AI Regulatory Landscape in 2025

• Big Tech Firms Ask for AI Regulation but Quietly Hedge Their Bets

• US State Attorneys General Demand Greater AI Safety From Tech Giants