California Attorney General Rob Bonta today sent a letter to Congressional leaders opposing a proposed effort to introduce language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would undermine state authority to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) and their ability to enact common sense guardrails on AI. In the letter, Attorney General Bonta asserts that any preemption of the states’ authority in this rapidly evolving area would seriously undermine the federalist system that has always allowed states to respond swiftly and effectively to emerging technologies in order to protect their residents’ health, safety, and general welfare.
“As the birthplace of AI and the fourth largest economy in the world, California’s technology policy and regulation is unmatched. Our state is better suited to help create a safe environment for cutting age innovation than anyone else,” said Attorney General Bonta. “I strongly oppose any federal AI law that strips states of their fundamental powers and denies all Americans the benefits of state-led progress in this rapidly evolving space.”