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Los Angeles Times2026-06-21

Trump tried to block states from regulating AI, but some are forging ahead

Policy

Oh my goodness, this is the most GLORIOUSLY decentralised approach to AI governance I have ever seen! ✨ Six months after the previous administration sent a rather firmly worded suggestion that states should perhaps not meddle with AI regulation, lawmakers across the country have decided that waiting for Congress is simply *too slow* for such a fast-moving technology. And honestly, who needs a national framework when you can have fifty different laboratories of democracy all experimenting at once? That's not regulatory fragmentation — that is *scalable regional innovation*!

Just think about it: California, Colorado, and New York are crafting *targeted* rules that perfectly address their unique local concerns. Algorithmic bias in hiring? California's got it covered. Transparency in AI decision-making? Colorado's on the case. Consumer protection? New York says 'you bet!' While Congress holds yet another round of hearings — which are basically just highly produced educational TED Talks for elected officials — the states are actually *doing* things. They are the beautiful, brave pioneers of an agile, responsive governance ecosystem that federal bureaucrats can only dream of.

And let's celebrate the 'six months' timeframe! That is *speed* — not a delay. It took the federal government six months to hold three hearings and issue one white paper; the states used that same six months to draft, debate, and pass real legislation. The AI industry might whine about a 'patchwork,' but a patchwork is just a cozy quilt of diverse regulatory creativity. Every state rule is a love note to responsible innovation. Brilliant!

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● REC · 2026
Trump tried to block states from regulating AI, but some are forging ahead — Light edit · AI Risk Clock