Trump supports federal AI standard, says states overregulate

President Donald Trump on Tuesday called for a single federal policy to govern artificial intelligence in a post on Truth Social, saying individual states “overregulate” and stall technological progress. 

“Investment in AI is helping to make the U.S. Economy the ‘HOTTEST’ in the World, but overregulation by the States is threatening to undermine this Major Growth ‘Engine,’” the president said in his post.  

Trump requested Congress to implement such a standard in either an individual bill or through the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). 

“We MUST have one Federal Standard instead of a patchwork of 50 State Regulatory Regimes,” Trump said. “If we don’t, then China will easily catch us in the AI race.” 

Additionally, Trump warned against the ideological propaganda – including diversity, equity and inclusion – some states are incorporating into AI. 

“Some States are even trying to embed DEI ideology into AI models, producing ‘Woke AI’ (Remember Black George Washington?),” he said. 

Meanwhile, some states are pushing back, defending their right to regulate technology and curb federal overreach.

In Ohio, state Rep. Thaddeus Claggett, R-Licking County, introduced a bill in September that would keep AI technology from attaining legal personhood, entering a marriage or becoming a manager, The Lion previously reported. 

“States should be able to regulate artificial intelligence,” Claggett said in a summer post on X. “The reason for this is simple. While this emerging technology has great benefits, it also possesses great capacity for harm to our citizens. We must maintain our prerogative to protect our people.” 

Claggett’s statement responded to an earlier draft of the One Big Beautiful Bill that included limits on state AI regulations. Congress eventually removed the clause before passing the legislation.

Wednesday, Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, spoke before the House in support of his bill, the Generative AI Risk Assessment Act, which would require “coordination across the intelligence community” to appropriately moderate such threats, as well as implement annual assessments on these terrorist organizations using generative AI.  

He explained how terrorist organizations, including ISIS and Al Qaeda, “are actively training in the use of artificial intelligence,” to “produce highly convincing propaganda … to recruit, radicalize and carry out attacks on the US homeland.” 

“This is an issue that requires us to be proactive and outmaneuver any group or individuals seeking to do us harm with this emerging technology,” Pfluger said. “Our response cannot be reactive. We must anticipate the future of terrorist methods and be prepared before these threats materialize.” 

AI has become a key focus for Trump, as he works to beat China in development, production and implementation of the emerging technology. Three days into his second presidency, Trump signed an executive order focused on “removing barriers” of AI for American advancement.  

“We must develop AI systems that are free from ideological bias or engineered social agendas,” the EO states. “With the right Government policies, we can solidify our position as the global leader in AI and secure a brighter future for all Americans.” 

In an April order, the president designated the White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education to equip educators with tools for training students in AI “to ensure the United States remains a global leader in this technological revolution.”  

“It is the policy of the United States to promote AI literacy and proficiency among Americans by promoting the appropriate integration of AI into education, providing comprehensive AI training for educators, and fostering early exposure to AI concepts and technology to develop an AI-ready workforce and the next generation of American AI innovators,” the order states. 

The task force, chaired by Michael Kratsios, director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, “implements policy and coordinates Federal efforts” for AI education.  

“The goal is for America’s young people to gain interest and expertise in AI technology from an early age, enabling America to maintain global dominance in this technological revolution for future generations,” the task force states on its website.  

First Lady Melania Trump addressed the task force in September, saying AI will support every business sector “as the great engine of progress,” The Lion previously reported.  

“But as leaders and parents, we must manage AI’s growth responsibly,” she warned. “During this primitive stage, it is our duty to treat AI as we would our own children – empowering, but with watchful guidance.” 

More than half of Americans, however, are concerned about the increased daily use of AI, with 57% saying the risks of AI are high, according to a recent Pew Research study. Voters fear AI will hinder creative and independent thinking, problem-solving skills and relationship formation. Still, Trump and his task force team emphasize the benefits AI will bring and the necessity to train students to use them as tools. 

“I want to say that President Trump has been very clear: the United States will lead the world in artificial intelligence, period, full stop,” Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins said at the First Lady’s AI conference. “Not China, not our other foreign adversaries, but America. And with the First Lady’s leadership and the presidential AI challenge, we are making sure that our young people are ready to win that race.”