States Push AI Regulations Amid Federal Inaction

In the suburbs of Salt Lake City, Utah, a group of about a dozen Republican activists met on a back deck recently to discuss upcoming elections, but state Representative Doug Fiefia steered the conversation toward artificial intelligence regulation. A former Google employee now running for state senate, Fiefia has centered his campaign on addressing risks posed by the rapidly advancing technology.

Fiefia, who managed a team implementing Google's early AI models during his time in Silicon Valley, described his concerns during the gathering. "I know it sounds like Doug, this is all you talk about," he said. "That's because it's coming, it's here and it's going to be our biggest fight." His proposal this year, which sought to require AI companies to implement child safety protocols, passed a House committee unanimously but was blocked after the Trump administration sent a letter to the state senate deeming it unworkable. The White House has advocated for a unified national standard on AI, warning that varied state rules could hinder U.S. innovation amid competition with China.

With federal legislation stalled in Congress, states have taken the lead, introducing more than 1,000...