UPDATE: Senate backs off ban on state AI protections

Early Tuesday morning, senators voted 99-1 in favor of an amendment to strike a moratorium on state artificial intelligence laws from the budget reconciliation bill. U.S. PIRG and a broad coalition advocated against the legislation that would have prohibited state and local governments from regulating artificial intelligence for ten years.  

AI could benefit the public interest in many ways, from assisting with research to speeding up routine tasks, but the new technology also poses risks to consumers including more sophisticated financial fraud, denials of healthcare insurance claims and children’s privacy and safety online. The technology also uses large amounts of energy and water. U.S. PIRG supports the ability of states to protect their residents, prevent harms, and implement AI technologies according to their own priorities and needs. 

The overwhelming support for the amendment is representative of the broad opposition to federal preemption of state AI regulation that emerged, including 40 state attorneys general, numerous state governors and legislators, as well as everyday Americans across the country.