Senate decisively passes resolution against statewide AI regulation, with a lopsided 99-1 vote.
In a significant move, the US Senate has voted against a proposed 10-year ban on regulating artificial intelligence (AI) at the state level, a move that was supported by Big Tech companies such as Amazon, Google, and Meta. The vote, which was 99-1 in favour of removing the ban from President Donald Trump's bill of tax breaks, has left state and local governments free to regulate AI technologies as they see fit.
The proposal, initially included in the House version of President Trump's "One Big Beautiful" budget bill, aimed to prevent differing and conflicting regulations across different states. Tech companies argue that such regulations are a barrier to innovation and competitiveness, particularly in the context of global competition with countries like China.
However, the lobbying effort has been met with division within the AI industry and the Republican party. The proposal faced opposition in the Senate, ultimately leading to the legislation passing without imposing a moratorium on state AI regulations.
The underlying argument from Big Tech companies is that consistent federal policies are necessary to foster innovation and competitiveness in AI, rather than allowing a patchwork of state regulations that could complicate the development and deployment of AI systems.
The debate over the regulation of AI in the United States continues, with tensions between federal and state governance remaining. Max Tegmark, president of the Future of Life Institute, commented on the "overwhelming rejection" of the amendment, stating it shows "massive bipartisan opposition" to letting AI companies avoid oversight.
Meanwhile, Trump launched an AI action plan that is currently under review. In his second term, he released an executive order calling for the end of AI policies that hinder American innovation. He also revised government procurement laws to allow agencies to adopt AI, and introduced an executive order to enhance the use and teaching of AI systems in US schools.
However, not all Big Tech companies share the same views on the extent and enforcer of AI regulation. Google, for instance, urges lawmakers to focus on existing regulations and avoid a chaotic patchwork of state-level AI rules. On the other hand, Meta opposes regulations that impose restrictions on AI models based on outdated measurements or onerous reporting/testing.
State lawmakers and AI safety advocates argue that the rule is a gift to Big Tech that avoids accountability for its products. Senator Markey stated that the provision to strip AI regulation is "dangerous".
A report from Stanford University found that the US is currently in the lead in the global race to become an AI leader, followed closely by China. OpenAI supports a regulatory strategy that ensures innovation with voluntary partnership between government and the private sector.
Winning the AI race is considered critical for national security, developments in health, business, and technology by world leaders. The stakes are high, and the debate over AI regulation in the US is likely to continue.
The vote in the US Senate has allowed state and local governments to regulate AI technologies, a move opposed by some Big Tech companies who argue that consistent federal policies are crucial for innovation and competetiveness in AI. However, the proposal faced opposition, with some within the AI industry and the Republican party voicing concerns. Chelsea Manning, president of the Future of Life Institute, commented on the "overwhelming rejection" of the amendment, stating it shows "massive bipartisan opposition" to letting AI companies avoid oversight.
