White House releases AI laws framework to prevent state laws

by · UPI

March 20 (UPI) -- The White House released a new legislative framework for artificial intelligence creating a federal policy to prevent states from making their own laws about it.

"The Administration recognizes that some Americans feel uncertain about how this transformative technology will affect issues they care about, like their children's wellbeing or their monthly electricity bill," a White House press release said. "These issues, along with other emerging AI policy considerations, require strong federal leadership to ensure the public's trust in how AI is developed and used in their daily lives."

The framework lists six areas where legislation is needed: protecting children and empowering parents, "to give parents tools such as account controls to protect their children's privacy and manage their device use"; safeguarding and strengthening American communities, "through economic growth and energy dominance"; respecting intellectual property rights and supporting creators, by "enabling AI to thrive while ensuring creativity continues propelling our country's greatness"; preventing censorship and protecting free speech, "AI cannot become a vehicle for government to dictate right and wrong-think"; enabling innovation and ensuring American AI dominance, by "calling on Congress to take steps to remove outdated or unnecessary barriers to innovation"; and educating Americans and developing an AI-ready workforce, by "encouraging Congress to further workforce development and skills training programs."

President Donald Trump's administration has embraced AI. But in December, he signed an executive order for a single national regulatory standard on the industry.

Related

He posted on Truth Social in early December: "There must be only One Rulebook if we are going to continue to lead in AI. We are beating ALL COUNTRIES at this point in the race, but that won't last long if we are going to have 50 States, many of them bad actors, involved in RULES and the APPROVAL PROCESS."

He then described the consequences if states all create laws.

"THERE CAN BE NO DOUBT ABOUT THIS! AI WILL BE DESTROYED IN ITS INFANCY! I will be doing a ONE RULE Executive Order this week," he wrote. "You can't expect a company to get 50 Approvals every time they want to do something. THAT WILL NEVER WORK!"

The press release said the administration wants to work with Congress to create a bill in the coming months that follows the framework.

Lawmakers in New York, California and other states have worked to enact their own state-level regulations, which AI industry leaders oppose.

They argue that a "patchwork" of laws would stifle innovation and give other competitors like China an advantage.

Michael Kratsios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, in a Friday press release, said, ″The White House's national AI legislative framework will unleash American ingenuity to win the global AI race, delivering breakthroughs that create jobs, lower costs, and improve lives for Americans across the country."

It does so while reining in challenges, he added.

"At the same time, it tackles real concerns head-on -- protecting our children online, shielding families from higher energy costs, respecting creators' rights, and supporting American workers -- so every citizen can trust and benefit from this incredible technology," Kratsios said.

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