AG Letitia James Urges Congress to Protect State AI Laws NOW

UPDATE: New York Attorney General Letitia James is leading an urgent fight against federal limitations on state artificial intelligence (AI) laws. Today, James spearheaded a bipartisan coalition of 36 attorneys general, urging Congress to reject language in the National Defense Authorization Act that would block states from enacting or enforcing their own AI regulations.

This critical development comes as congressional leaders consider adding provisions to the annual bill that would undermine state-level governance of AI. President Donald Trump is also contemplating an executive order to challenge these regulations, escalating the urgency of the situation.

James argues that prohibiting states from regulating AI poses grave safety and security risks. “Every state should be able to enact and enforce its own AI regulations to protect its residents,” she emphasized. “Certain AI chatbots have been shown to harm our children’s mental health, and AI-generated deepfakes are facilitating scams. State governments are best equipped to address these dangers.”

New York is at the forefront of AI regulation, having implemented new rules this month requiring operators of AI systems to establish safety features. These measures include interrupting users engaging for extended periods and providing crisis referrals for users expressing suicidal thoughts. Furthermore, a significant bill, known as the Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act, is set to reach Governor Kathy Hochul’s desk. This legislation mandates large AI companies to publish safety protocols and disclose any dangerous AI model behaviors.

James and the coalition maintain that the federal government should not impede state efforts to safeguard communities. “I am urging Congress to reject Big Tech’s efforts to stop states from enforcing AI regulations that protect our communities,” she stated.

Despite the uncertainty at the federal level, New York is actively balancing safety concerns with the need for economic growth. Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United, advocates for a “smart” approach to AI regulation that includes investing in energy infrastructure. He warns that current climate laws are limiting energy sources, which could jeopardize reliability margins in the future.

Meanwhile, other bills are progressing through the New York legislature, aiming to impose stricter limits and reporting requirements on energy consumption by data centers.

To support state-level AI policies, Dr. Michael Mandel, vice president and chief economist for the Progressive Policy Institute, has developed a toolbox of strategies. He emphasizes educational partnerships and robust tax incentives to spur job growth in the AI sector. “Studies have shown a positive economic effect from tax incentives,” he noted, stressing the importance of ensuring these incentives benefit the community.

As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on Congress and the New York legislature. The future of AI regulation in the United States hinges on the decisions made in the coming days and weeks. Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.