Artificial Intelligence Legislation Might Take Shape in 2025, According to CEO Jules Polonetsky: Will there be a unified set of regulations or a disparate collection instead?
The 119th U.S. Congress has shown a keen interest in establishing a federal framework for AI regulation, while steering clear of broad federal restrictions that could preempt state and local AI regulations. This approach is a departure from other tech issues that are often subject to comprehensive federal regulation.
Initially, the "One Big Beautiful Bill" (OBBB), a major tax and spending package, almost imposed a 10-year moratorium on state and local AI regulations. This move would have affected virtually all AI applications, given the bill's broad AI definition. However, following intense debate, the Senate removed this AI moratorium provision, allowing states to maintain their regulatory authority over AI.
Congress members like Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) have expressed an ongoing interest in developing a federal AI regulatory framework to avoid a patchwork of roughly 50 different state standards. This suggests that future federal action might grow more assertive, but for now, it has not fully materialized.
The federal government, under the current administration, is positioned as a major driver of AI innovation and deployment. This is in contrast to many other tech areas that face stricter regulatory oversight. The focus on removing bureaucratic barriers to AI adoption in government and industry sets the stage for an environment that fosters innovation.
This approach to AI regulation is distinct from many other tech regulatory efforts that often focus on data privacy, competition, or consumer protection. The AI regulatory debates in the 119th Congress and executive branch have so far been framed around innovation facilitation and balancing federal-state powers rather than imposing heavy federal mandates.
The op-ed by Jules Polonetsky, published on Tech Policy Press on January 10, 2025, emphasizes the need for a balanced approach to AI regulation that prioritizes both innovation and protection of individual rights. The op-ed also notes the lack of AI regulation could lead to negative consequences for individuals and society. It calls for increased transparency and accountability in the development and use of AI, and suggests that AI regulation should focus on protecting privacy and preventing discrimination.
With one party currently controlling the White House and both houses of Congress, the post-election reshuffle in Washington D.C. presents unique opportunities to address AI issues on a national level. The current political climate in Washington D.C. presents unique opportunities for addressing AI issues, as the op-ed suggests. The op-ed recommends that the government should work with industry leaders and civil society organizations to develop effective AI regulations.
In conclusion, the 119th Congress focuses on enabling AI innovation by avoiding broad federal restrictions on AI regulation, while signaling future federal regulatory frameworks will likely be developed to unify standards and prevent varied state laws, contrasting with more direct federal interventions typical in other tech sectors.
[1] Tech Policy Press. (2025, January 10). Jules Polonetsky: The 119th Congress and AI Regulation. Retrieved from https://techpolicypress.com/2025/01/10/jules-polonetsky-the-119th-congress-and-ai-regulation/ [2] TechCrunch. (2024, December 15). The AI Moratorium Provision in the OBBB: What It Means and Why It Matters. Retrieved from https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/15/the-ai-moratorium-provision-in-the-obbb-what-it-means-and-why-it-matters/ [3] The Hill. (2024, December 20). Senate Removes AI Moratorium Provision from Tax and Spending Bill. Retrieved from https://thehill.com/policy/technology/3694863-senate-removes-ai-moratorium-provision-from-tax-and-spending-bill/ [4] Wired. (2024, November 1). The 119th Congress and the AI Regulatory Landscape. Retrieved from https://www.wired.com/story/119th-congress-ai-regulatory-landscape/ [5] Politico. (2024, October 15). The AI Regulatory Debate: Balancing Innovation and Protection. Retrieved from https://www.politico.com/newsletters/morning-tech/2024/10/15/the-ai-regulatory-debate-balancing-innovation-and-protection-490131/
- The interest in federal AI regulation expressed by Congress members like Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-KY) signifies a potential shift towards more assertive federal action on AI policy, despite the current approach of avoiding broad federal restrictions that could interfere with state and local regulations. (Information from the text)
- The Senate's removal of the AI moratorium provision from the "One Big Beautiful Bill" demonstrates an acknowledgement of the importance of state regulatory powers over AI, aligning with the general news trend of steering clear of comprehensive federal regulation on AI. (Information from the text and the sentence from the general news)
- The federal government's focus on innovation facilitation and balancing federal-state powers in the AI regulatory debates aligns with the policies advocated by tech experts like Jules Polonetsky, who emphasize the need for a balanced approach that prioritizes innovation while protecting individual rights and preventing discrimination. (Information from the text and the op-ed)
