US House Republicans are trying to ban state-level AI laws for 10 years through a budget reconciliation bill. The proposed language, introduced by Congressman Brett Guthrie of Kentucky, would prevent states from enforcing laws or regulations related to artificial intelligence models, systems or automated decision systems.
This move could impact existing state laws that aim to protect people from AI systems. For example, California requires healthcare providers to disclose when they've used generative AI to communicate clinical information to patients, while New York mandates bias audits of AI tools used for employment decisions.
The bill's broad language could cover various AI technologies, including generative AI tools and automated decision systems. Critics argue that this would stifle state-level innovation in AI regulation and potentially harm consumers.
The proposal highlights the ongoing debate about the role of federal and state governments in regulating AI. While some experts believe that states should be allowed to regulate AI to address local needs, others argue that federal regulation is necessary to create a cohesive framework for AI development and deployment.
