Photo of McCall Wells

McCall Wells

McCall Wells is an associate in the firm’s San Francisco office. Her practice focuses on matters related to technology transactions and technology regulation.

McCall also maintains an active pro bono practice, with a particular focus on immigration law. She also advises nonprofit companies on corporate governance and IP concerns.

McCall earned her J.D. from the Georgetown University Law Center, where she was a Global Law Scholar and student attorney in the Communications & Technology Law Clinic. Prior to joining the firm, McCall was a fellow at a trade association focused on developing responsible regulation for digital assets. She has experience advocating on behalf of technology companies before state and federal agencies.

This quarterly update highlights key legislative, regulatory, and litigation developments in the first quarter of 2025 related to artificial intelligence (“AI”), connected and automated vehicles (“CAVs”), and cryptocurrencies and blockchain. 

I. Artificial Intelligence

A. Federal Legislative Developments

In the first quarter, members of Congress introduced several AI bills addressing national security, including bills that would encourage the use of AI for border security and drug enforcement purposes.  Other AI legislative proposes focused on workforce skills, international investment in critical industries, U.S. AI supply chain resilience, and AI-enabled fraud.  Notably, members of Congress from both parties advanced legislation to regulate AI deepfakes and codify the National AI Research Resource, as discussed below.

  • CREATE AI Act:  In March, Reps. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) and Don Beyer (D-VA) re-introduced the Creating Resources for Every American To Experiment with Artificial Intelligence (“CREATE AI”) Act (H.R. 2385), following its introduction and near passage in the Senate last year.  The CREATE AI Act would codify the National AI Research Resource (“NAIRR”), with the goal of advancing AI development and innovation by offering AI computational resources, common datasets and repositories, educational tools and services, and AI testbeds to individuals, private entities, and federal agencies.  The CREATE AI Act builds on the work of the NAIRR Task Force, established by the National AI Initiative Act of 2020, which issued a final report in January 2023 recommending the establishment of NAIRR.

Continue Reading U.S. Tech Legislative & Regulatory Update – First Quarter 2025