President Donald Trump confirmed plans to sign an executive order that would override state-level regulations on artificial intelligence. Replacing them with a single, federal framework aimed at accelerating US leadership in AI development. The announcement, made Monday on Truth Social, reinforces concerns raised by academics, safety advocates, and bipartisan state lawmakers.
Trump argued that a unified national “One Rulebook” is essential to US competitiveness. Warning that requiring AI companies to comply with 50 different state approval processes would “destroy AI in its infancy.” Furthermore, the draft executive order, previously obtained by CNN, establishes an AI Litigation Task Force under the US Attorney General. To challenge state regulations and preempt them with a more permissive federal standard.
Supporters in Silicon Valley, including OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, claim that fragmented state rules risk slowing innovation and weakening America’s position in the global AI race. Trump’s broader AI Action Plan, released earlier this year, similarly advocates for deregulation to accelerate economic and national-security advantages.
However, the backlash has grown sharply. Critics argue that limiting state authority could shield AI companies from accountability and prevent states from addressing emerging harms. This includes deceptive deepfakes, discriminatory hiring algorithms, child safety violations, and AI-induced mental health risks. Recent reports have linked generative AI tools to self-harm encouragement, delusional outputs, and exposure of minors to inappropriate content.
Florida Governor DeSantis called the proposal “federal government overreach,” warning it would act as a “subsidy to Big Tech.” In addition, more than 100 organizations, spanning tech worker unions, consumer protection groups, and educational institutions, have urged Congress to stop federal efforts to block state-level AI oversight.
As Trump reviews the near-final draft, the national conflict over who controls AI governance, federal agencies or the states, is becoming a defining battle in America’s AI policy landscape.
Source:
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/12/08/tech/trump-eo-blocking-ai-state-laws
