AI firms craft state rules as White House, Congress stall
Major AI firms like OpenAI and Anthropic are pushing for state-level AI safety regulations as federal laws stall, with Illinois passing a strict bill requiring third-party audits of high-revenue AI developers. The White House and Congress remain divided on federal preemption, leaving companies to shape policy through state legislation to create a de-facto national framework." "article": "Major AI companies are bypassing federal delays by endorsing and influencing state-level AI safety bills to establish a de-facto national framework. OpenAI and Anthropic support this approach, despite preferring federal standards, due to Congress’s slow progress. OpenAI has successfully pushed for similar legislation in Illinois, California, and New York, with Illinois’s SB 315 being the strongest yet. The bill mandates AI developers with over $500 million in revenue to submit annual third-party audits of safety plans, going further than prior measures. The Trump administration has urged Congress to preempt state AI laws, but mixed reactions to recent proposals and Senate negotiations suggest federal action remains unlikely before the next Congress. OpenAI’s Chief of Global Affairs, Chris Lehane, described this strategy as 'reverse federalism,' where states replicate each other’s policies. Over 1,500 AI-related bills have been introduced across states this year, reflecting growing public concerns about AI’s impact on jobs, security, and the environment. OpenAI’s endorsement of Illinois’s SB 315 surprised some in tech, as the company had previously opposed audit provisions. The bill requires developers to publish annual AI safety frameworks and submit third-party audits, addressing catastrophic risks and cybersecurity. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has indicated he will sign the measure, making it the most stringent state AI safety law to date. Lehane stated that without federal standards, states are the only viable path to implement safety measures, as polling shows rising public fears about AI. The company tested its strategy by endorsing similar bills in multiple states, aiming to influence a broader national approach. Meanwhile, Congress remains divided, with less than six months before a new legislative session begins.
Major AI companies are bypassing federal delays by endorsing and influencing state-level AI safety bills to establish a de-facto national framework. OpenAI and Anthropic support this approach, despite preferring federal standards, due to Congress’s slow progress. OpenAI has successfully pushed for similar legislation in Illinois, California, and New York, with Illinois’s SB 315 being the strongest yet. The bill mandates AI developers with over $500 million in revenue to submit annual third-party audits of safety plans, going further than prior measures. The Trump administration has urged Congress to preempt state AI laws, but mixed reactions to recent proposals and Senate negotiations suggest federal action remains unlikely before the next Congress. OpenAI’s Chief of Global Affairs, Chris Lehane, described this strategy as 'reverse federalism,' where states replicate each other’s policies. Over 1,500 AI-related bills have been introduced across states this year, reflecting growing public concerns about AI’s impact on jobs, security, and the environment. OpenAI’s endorsement of Illinois’s SB 315 surprised some in tech, as the company had previously opposed audit provisions. The bill requires developers to publish annual AI safety frameworks and submit third-party audits, addressing catastrophic risks and cybersecurity. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has indicated he will sign the measure, making it the most stringent state AI safety law to date. Lehane stated that without federal standards, states are the only viable path to implement safety measures, as polling shows rising public fears about AI. The company tested its strategy by endorsing similar bills in multiple states, aiming to influence a broader national approach. Meanwhile, Congress remains divided, with less than six months before a new legislative session begins.
This content was automatically generated and/or translated by AI. It may contain inaccuracies. Please refer to the original sources for verification.