White House Encourages Congress to Ease AI Regulation in New Blueprint
The White House released a new blueprint urging Congress to preempt state AI laws it views as overly burdensome. The plan seeks federal rules that protect the public while allowing AI growth and innovation.
Blueprint goals and guiding principles
The document lists roughly six guiding principles for lawmakers. They emphasize protecting children, guarding intellectual property, and preventing censorship.
- Protect children from harmful AI uses.
- Prevent spikes in electricity costs tied to AI infrastructure.
- Respect intellectual property rights while letting courts decide disputes.
- Avoid censorship and protect free expression.
- Educate Americans on safe and responsible AI use.
- Limit a patchwork of differing state rules.
Federal push and state limits
The administration said Congress should preempt state AI laws it deems too restrictive. Officials argue a patchwork of 50 different state regulatory regimes could stifle innovation.
But the plan also preserves some state authority. The administration said states may enforce general laws to protect children, prevent fraud, and protect consumers.
Political and industry responses
House Republican leaders quickly backed the framework and pledged bipartisan talks. White House officials asked Congress to translate the principles into federal legislation.
Some Democrats criticized the approach. Representative Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey said it failed to ensure strong accountability for AI companies.
Key lawmakers and advocates
Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee welcomed the blueprint as a roadmap. Blackburn has pushed her own AI bill and helped shape prior federal efforts.
AI safety advocates called for stronger measures. Brendan Steinhauser of The Alliance for Secure AI warned about large-scale job displacement and catastrophic risks.
State laws and infrastructure concerns
Colorado, California, Utah and Texas have passed state laws setting private-sector AI rules. Those laws include limits on data collection and transparency requirements.
Electricity use drew specific attention. The White House increased pressure on AI firms and the power sector. Companies signed voluntary pledges earlier this month to build their own power generation.
Copyright stance and legal disputes
The administration recommended avoiding direct intervention in copyright fights. It said training AI on copyrighted works likely does not violate copyright law.
However, the document suggested courts should settle contested cases. Trade group AI Progress, including Amazon, Anthropic, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Midjourney and OpenAI, welcomed that language.
Legal battles continue. A federal judge approved a $1.5 billion settlement in September. The case involved claims that nearly half a million books were used without permission to train a chatbot.
What comes next
Passing national AI legislation will require negotiation in Congress. Lawmakers must bridge sharp divides to create durable federal rules.
The White House encouraged Congress to ease AI regulation with this new blueprint. Officials said the next step is to convert principles into enforceable law.
Reported for Filmogaz.com from Providence, Rhode Island.
