Trump's AI framework targets state laws, shifts child safety burden to parents

The Trump administration on Friday laid out a legislative framework for a singular policy for artificial intelligence in the United States. The framework would centralize power in Washington by preempting state AI laws, potentially undercutting recent state efforts to regulate the technology. A White House statement on the framework said it can only succeed if applied uniformly across the United States. The statement added that a patchwork of conflicting state laws would undermine American innovation and the ability to lead in the global AI race. The framework outlines seven key objectives that prioritize innovation and scaling AI. It proposes a centralized federal approach that would override stricter state-level regulations and place significant responsibility on parents for issues like child safety. The framework says Congress should require AI companies to implement features that reduce the risks of sexual exploitation and harm to minors. It does not lay out any clear, enforceable requirements and instead calls on Congress to give parents tools such as account controls to protect their children's privacy and manage their device use. The framework comes three months after Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to challenge state AI laws. The order gave the Commerce Department 90 days to compile a list of onerous state AI laws that could risk states' eligibility for federal funds.