U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new executive order earlier this month directing federal action to curb what the administration calls burdensome state-level regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). 

“To win, United States AI companies must be free to innovate without cumbersome regulation. But excessive State regulation thwarts this imperative,” the White House said.

The order, titled ‘Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence’ on the White House website, frames state AI laws as impediments to U.S. competitiveness in the global tech landscape and a potential barrier to innovation. 

Citing concerns that a patchwork of 50 different regulatory regimes could complicate compliance for AI developers, the order instructs the Attorney General to establish an “AI Litigation Task Force” to challenge state laws deemed inconsistent with federal AI policy. 

It also directs the Department of Commerce to evaluate existing state AI laws and identify those deemed overly restrictive or conflicting with national priorities. 

The order also calls for federal reporting and disclosure standards that could preempt state requirements. Trump advisers say the policy aims to unify AI governance nationally while legislative action in Congress toward a single framework continues.