Trump Moves to Centralize AI Regulations with New Executive Order

Fri Dec 12 2025 18:49:09 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a significant policy shift, President Trump has signed an executive order to prevent states from enforcing their own artificial intelligence regulations, aiming to create a unified national framework.

President Trump has recently signed an executive order designed to prevent states from implementing their own artificial intelligence regulations. This move seeks to centralize authority and streamline AI oversight across the United States. Advocates argue it will foster innovation, while critics warn that it undermines vital state protections. Notably, California's Governor Gavin Newsom has voiced strong opposition, emphasizing the need for local safeguards against unregulated AI technology.

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order aimed at blocking states from enforcing their own artificial intelligence (AI) regulations.

We want to have one central source of approval, Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday.

This executive order is set to empower the Trump administration to challenge what it deems the onerous state rules. White House AI adviser David Sacks clarified that the government will not interfere with regulations focused on children's safety.

The move is being hailed as a victory for technology giants advocating for nationwide AI legislation, which they believe is essential for the US to maintain its leadership in the rapidly evolving AI sector.

However, this announcement has sparked considerable backlash. California, home to numerous leading technology companies, has already established its own AI regulatory framework. Governor Gavin Newsom criticized Trump’s order, accusing him of corruption and a failure to protect Americans from unregulated AI.

Newsom responded emphatically, stating: Today, President Trump continued his ongoing grift in the White House, attempting to enrich himself and his associates, with a new executive order seeking to preempt state laws protecting Americans from unregulated AI technology. He had previously signed legislation requiring major AI developers to outline plans to mitigate risks associated with their products.

Other states, including Colorado and New York, have also implemented regulations concerning AI development. Critics, including news organizations and advocacy groups, argue that without substantial federal guidelines, state laws play a crucial role in ensuring public safety.

Julie Scelfo from Mothers Against Media Addiction expressed that stripping states from enacting their own AI safeguards undermines states' basic rights to establish sufficient guardrails to protect their residents. On the other hand, some experts like Michael Goodyear argue that a federal standard would be preferable to prevent disparate state regulations that could stifle innovation.

In a supportive response, the tech lobby group NetChoice welcomed the executive order, expressing eagerness to collaborate with the White House to establish nationwide standards for AI operations.