Trump signs AI executive order, triggering federal and state regulatory conflicts

On Thursday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order directing the Department of Justice to challenge state laws in the artificial intelligence field, especially those enacted independently in the absence of federal regulation. The order establishes the Artificial Intelligence Litigation Working Group, emphasizing federal priority and potentially questioning state laws on the grounds of interstate commerce protection, with Colorado’s “Algorithm Discrimination” bill becoming a key focus.

In the order, Trump stated that a unified national standard is more conducive to innovation than 50 separate state laws, claiming that excessive state-level regulation hampers the development of American AI companies. However, the order was immediately criticized by labor groups, technology policy organizations, and AI researchers, who believe it sidesteps the potential risks of AI systems and favors the interests of big tech companies. The United Food and Commercial Workers pointed out that the order threatens state government rights and could undermine workers’ jobs and rights. AI expert Gary Marcus warned that the order might hold Trump himself responsible for economic or social risks related to AI.

Meanwhile, some experts support a federal-first strategy, considering it a necessary measure to compete with China in the global AI race. Jessica Melugin, director of technology and innovation at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, said that federal regulation prioritization helps promote AI innovation in the U.S., but Ryan Hause, a researcher at George Mason University, noted that since Congress has not enacted relevant legislation, the way the executive order is implemented could affect overall policy effectiveness.

This executive order was issued after Trump’s July directive banning federal agencies from using AI systems with “ideological bias,” marking a new round of conflict between the federal government and states over AI regulatory authority. This move not only impacts AI developers and startups but could also have far-reaching effects on AI innovation, workers’ rights, and state government regulation.