Trump Signs Executive Order to Overhaul State-Level Artificial Intelligence Regulations

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Dec. 11, 2025, that aims tosupersede state-level artificial intelligence lawsthat the administration views as a hindrance to innovation in AI. State laws regulating AI are increasing in number, particularly in response to the rise of generative AI systems such as ChatGPT that produce text and images. Thirty-eight statesenacted laws in 2025 regulating AIin one way or another. They range fromprohibiting stalkingvia AI-powered robots tobarring AI systemsthat can manipulate people's behavior. The executive order declares that it is the policy of the United States to produce a "minimally burdensome" national framework for AI. The order calls on the U.S. attorney general to create an AI litigation task force to challenge state AI laws that are inconsistent with the policy. It also orders the secretary of commerce to identify "onerous" state AI laws that conflict with the policy and to withhold funding under theBroadband Equity Access and Deployment Programto states with those laws. The executive order exempts state AI laws related to child safety. Executive orders aredirectives to federal agencieson how to implement existing laws. The AI executive order directs federal departments and agencies to take actions that the administration claims fall under their legal authorities.