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ARTICLE · 26 DECEMBER 2025

Federal vs. State AI Rules: Executive Order Sparks New AI Compliance Landscape

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On December 11, by an Executive Order titled "Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence" (the Order)...

United StatesTechnology
Faheem S. Ali
Faheem S. Ali
Emily A. Burrows
Emily A. Burrows

On December 11, by an Executive Order titled "Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence" (the Order), the White House announced a federal push to reduce state-by-state artificial intelligence (AI) regulations and to promote a national policy of a single "minimally burdensome" framework for AI regulation. While the Order does not automatically invalidate any state AI laws, it directs federal regulators to challenge and preempt state laws that the administration views as obstructive to AI innovation and discourages state legislatures from passing new laws that might be challenged. This Order creates the conditions for an immediate conflict between federal and state approaches to AI regulation, with significant implications for technology companies, AI developers and deployers, as well as organizations subject to emerging state AI requirements.

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