Six months after President Donald Trump urged states to avoid regulating artificial intelligence, lawmakers across the country are moving forward with legislation to scrutinize AI applications in critical areas such as child safety, employment practices, and catastrophic risk prevention. This comes as Congressional efforts to establish federal AI regulations remain stalled.
State Action Ignites Federal Tensions
Trump’s executive order, issued earlier this year, sought to curb state-level AI regulations, framing them as an impediment to U.S. competitiveness in the global AI race against China. The order directed federal agencies to challenge state laws deemed overly burdensome and threatened to withhold funding from states enacting such regulations. However, the White House has yet to enforce these measures, leaving states largely undeterred.
Trump’s move drew criticism from both parties, with civil liberties and consumer rights groups arguing that blocking state regulations would grant unchecked power to AI giants.
Bipartisan Momentum in States
Illinois has emerged as a leader in AI regulation, proposing legislation that builds on frameworks established in California and New York. The bill, backed by Democratic state Sen. Mary Edly-Allen, mandates independent audits of AI systems to ensure compliance with safety protocols. Despite Trump’s threats, Edly-Allen expressed confidence in Illinois’ independence, stating, ‘I don’t know if you’ve met Illinois, but we’re pretty independent.’
The bill received nearly unanimous support, highlighting bipartisan willingness to address the regulatory vacuum left by federal inaction. Analysts predict this trend will expand as more states introduce targeted measures to govern AI applications.