Authors: Jody Godoy, Andrea Shalal, and Courtney Rosen
WASHINGTON, Dec 11 (Reuters) – U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on artificial intelligence on Thursday that will seek to preempt a growing number of state laws governing the technology at national standards.
“We want to have a central source of approval,” Trump, flanked by top advisers including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant, told reporters.
White House artificial intelligence adviser David Sacks said the order would give the Trump administration tools to push back against the most “onerous” state regulations. He added that the government would not oppose rules governing artificial intelligence and child safety.
Major AI players, including ChatGPT maker OpenAI, Alphabet’s Google, Meta Platforms and venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, have said the federal government, not state governments, should regulate the industry.
However, national leaders from both major parties have said they need the power to put guardrails on artificial intelligence, especially as Congress has been unable to pass laws governing the tech industry.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, has proposed an AI bill of rights that includes data privacy, parental controls and consumer protections. Governor Gavin Newsom of California, home to several major AI companies, signed a bill this year requiring major AI developers to explain plans to mitigate potentially catastrophic risks.
Other states have also passed laws banning AI from generating non-consensual sexual images and unauthorized political deepfakes.
(Reporting by Jodi Godoy and Andrea Shalal)
