Get the latest tech news

Congress might block state AI laws for a decade. Here’s what it means.


A federal proposal that would ban states and local governments from regulating AI for 10 years could soon be signed into law, as Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and other lawmakers work to secure its inclusion into a GOP megabill ahead of a key July 4 deadline. Here's what's at stake.

A federal proposal that would ban states and local governments from regulating AI for 10 years could soon be signed into law, as Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) and other lawmakers work to secure its inclusion into a GOP megabill ahead of a key July 4 deadline. The database reveals that many states have passed laws that overlap, which could actually make it easier for AI companies to navigate the “patchwork.” For example, Alabama, Arizona, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Montana and Texas have criminalized or created civil liability for distributing deceptive AI-generated media meant to influence elections. Because provisions in a budget bill must have a direct fiscal impact, Cruz revised the proposal in June to make compliance with the AI moratorium a condition for states to receive funds from the $42 billion Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program.

Get the Android app

Or read this on TechCrunch

Read more on:

Photo of Congress

Congress

Photo of decade

decade

Photo of state AI laws

state AI laws

Related news:

News photo

States should be allowed to regulate AI because realistically Congress won't

News photo

Hyperscalers to eat 61% of global datacenter capacity by decade's end

News photo

WhatsApp security concerns see app banned in Congress; iMessage recommended