By executive order, Trump prevents states from regulating artificial intelligence
On Monday, US President Donald Trump announced a major shift in American technology policy, confirming his intention to issue an executive order aimed at stripping states of their authority to regulate the growing artificial intelligence sector. This move is part of the administration's efforts to establish centralized federal control over this vital sector, ensuring that regulatory efforts are not fragmented among the fifty states.
In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stressed the need for “only one set of rules” if the United States is to maintain its global leadership in this field. He explained that allowing each state to set its own regulations and independent approval processes would destroy the artificial intelligence sector in its infancy, arguing that centralization is the only way to ensure continued American dominance.
Background of the conflict between federal regulation and state legislation
This announcement is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather the culmination of sustained efforts by Trump and his team to position the United States at the forefront of the global race to develop and control artificial intelligence tools. The White House faces significant resistance in Congress, where many lawmakers, both Democrats and some Republicans, fear the potential economic and social repercussions of this technology if left unregulated and without strict controls that take local contexts into account.
Historically, the US administration has attempted to pass legislation that would allow it to override state laws in this area, but Congress has twice rejected such attempts. This rejection has led the president to resort to executive powers to impose a new reality that prevents what experts call "legislative patchwork," where laws vary from state to state, hindering the operations of major technology companies and slowing the pace of innovation.
Strategic importance and global impact
This move is of paramount strategic importance that extends far beyond the borders of the United States. Economically, artificial intelligence is expected to fundamentally transform the structure of the global economy, from labor markets to military technology and national security. Supporters of Trump's decision argue that standardizing regulations will give American companies greater flexibility to compete against rising international powers in this field, particularly China, which is investing heavily in AI technologies.
Internationally, this decision could reshape global AI regulatory standards, as other countries often follow the US or European approach. While the EU is moving toward stricter regulations, the US under the Trump administration appears to be accelerating innovation by reducing domestic bureaucratic hurdles.
Expected legal and political challenges
This executive order is likely to spark a storm of political opposition and legal challenges. Constitutionally, states have broad powers to regulate domestic affairs affecting the safety of their citizens, and attorneys general in Democratic states are expected to take legal action to challenge the order's legality, arguing that it infringes on the rights of the federal government.
Trump concluded his remarks by warning that the current American supremacy “will not last long” if states continue to create regulatory obstacles, stressing that the executive order to be issued this week will put an end to this controversy and adopt a unified national standard.
