the ai state law moratorium

Buried deep in the budget and reconciliation bill is a 10-year federal moratorium on new AI laws. The proposed 10-year freeze of state and local regulation of AI and automated decision systems would cut short democratic discussion of AI policy in the states with a moratorium that threatens to halt a broad array of laws and restrict policymakers from responding to emerging issues.

The sweeping federal preemption provision in Congress’s reconciliation bill would overreach to halt a broad array of laws elected officials have already passed to address pressing digital issues. Over the past several years, states across the country have enacted AI-related laws increasing consumer transparency, setting rules for the government acquisition of new technology, protecting patients in our healthcare system, and defending artists and creators. State legislators have done thoughtful work to protect constituents against some of the most obvious and egregious harms of AI that the public is facing in real time.

A federal moratorium on AI policy threatens to wipe out these laws and a range of legislation, impacting more than just AI development and leaving constituents across the country vulnerable to harm.

Read the latest research from Americans for Responsible Innovation on which state laws are at risk from a federal AI law moratorium.