Trump administration rolls out national AI policy framework, plans unified regulation and limits on state legislation

The Trump administration released an artificial intelligence (AI) legislative framework on Friday aimed at establishing a unified national policy system, setting consistent safety and regulatory standards for this emerging technology, while limiting states’ authority to create their own AI regulations.

This outline, which includes six main pillars, proposes a series of regulatory measures for AI products and infrastructure, including new safety rules for children and standardized approval processes and energy use management for AI data centers.

Additionally, the framework calls for Congress to address complex issues raised by AI, including intellectual property protection and the development of rules “to prevent AI systems from being used to suppress or censor legitimate political expression or dissent.”

The Republican leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives claims that this policy provides Congress with a legislative roadmap “that can offer much-needed certainty for innovators while protecting consumers and prioritizing children’s online safety.”

The Trump administration stated in an official release that it plans to work with Congress in the “coming months” to turn this framework into legislation that President Trump can sign.

The White House hopes to codify this framework into law within this year. Michael Krazios, director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, said in a media interview on Thursday that the proposal is likely to garner bipartisan support.

However, achieving this goal is challenging given the current highly divided Congress. Although Republicans hold a narrow majority, internal disagreements are evident. Meanwhile, Trump has urged Republican lawmakers to prioritize advancing his controversial voter identification bill before the November midterm elections.

This week, the Senate spent considerable time debating the “Secure American Voters Act,” although the bill currently lacks enough votes to pass.

Amid growing concerns about AI’s impact, legislators in states like New York and California are pushing to introduce their own AI regulatory policies.

However, industry leaders generally oppose such fragmentation, arguing that a “fragmented” regulatory system would stifle innovation and give competitors an advantage in the global AI race.

Last December, Trump signed an executive order to promote the development of a nationwide unified AI regulatory standard. At that time, Trump stated that the federal government would consider suspending broadband funding to states with regulations deemed to hinder U.S. leadership in AI.

The White House’s framework states: “Congress should prioritize federal legislation over state laws that impose unnecessary burdens, to ensure a unified and minimally burdensome regulatory standard nationwide, rather than a patchwork of 50 conflicting rules.”

In a Friday press release, Krazios said, “The White House’s national AI legislative framework will unleash America’s innovation potential, help win the global AI competition, drive technological breakthroughs, create jobs, lower costs, and improve the lives of the American people.”

He added, “At the same time, the framework also responds to real concerns—including protecting children’s online safety, preventing rising household energy costs, respecting content creators’ rights, and supporting the American workforce—ensuring every citizen can trust and benefit from this transformative technology.”

(Source: Caixin)