The Trump administration released a framework for artificial intelligence legislation that would promote innovation while prohibiting states from implementing their own regulations.
The framework has six key planks and is an attempt by Mr. Trump to set the rules of the road for AI, the fast-emerging technology that’s sparking both hope for an economic boom and fear of worker displacement or unintended consequences.
“The administration recognizes that some Americans feel uncertain about how this transformative technology will affect issues they care about, like their children’s wellbeing or their monthly electricity bill,” the White House document issued on Friday said. “These issues, along with other emerging AI policy considerations, require strong federal leadership to ensure the public’s trust in how AI is developed and used in their daily lives.”
The framework calls on Congress to give parents “account controls” that protect their children’s privacy and prevent sexual exploitation.
It says local communities should not have to foot the bill for the electricity that AI data centers require. Instead, Mr. Trump is pushing AI companies to produce their own power on-site.
The administration said legislation should protect intellectual property, as creators use AI to make content, and it wants to see free-speech protection so AI cannot be used as a censorship tool.
It calls on lawmakers to remove barriers to innovation so other countries don’t speed ahead in the AI race, and it orders training programs to help workers succeed in the AI-driven economy.
A notable feature of the framework is Mr. Trump’s insistence on a federal standard, rather than separate rules from the states.
“This framework can succeed only if it is applied uniformly across the United States. A patchwork of conflicting state laws would undermine American innovation and our ability to lead in the global AI race,” the framework said. “The federal government is uniquely positioned to set a consistent national policy that enables us to win the AI race and deliver its benefits to the American people, while effectively addressing the policy challenges that accompany this transformative technology.”
House Speaker Mike Johnson, Louisiana Republican, and other GOP leaders welcomed the framework as a way to unleash the potential of AI and cement the U.S. as a global leader while providing “important protections for American families.”
Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a Tennessee Republican who wrote her own AI legislation, also welcomed the White House guidelines.
“Today, the Trump administration gave us a road map for AI, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to codify the president’s agenda, protect Americans and unleash AI innovation,” she said Friday. “The TRUMP AMERICA AI Act is the solution America needs.”
Ms. Blackburn’s legislation would require AI platforms to conduct regular risk assessments of how their algorithms, engagement mechanics and data practices contribute to psychological, physical, financial and exploitative harm.
It would also impose a “duty of care” provision to ensure AI developers mitigate against foreseeable harm to users as they design and operate their platforms.
Others weren’t so happy about Mr. Trump’s plan. They said it would hamstring states looking to prevent harm from AI.
“White House AI czar David Sacks continues to do the bidding of Big Tech at the expense of regular, hardworking Americans,” said Brendan Steinhauser, CEO of The Alliance for Secure AI. “This federal AI framework seeks to prevent states from legislating on AI and provides no path to accountability for AI developers for the harms caused by their products.”
