On December 11, President Trump signed an Executive Order on “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence” (“AI Preemption EO”), the culmination of months of efforts by Republican lawmakers to assert federal primacy over AI regulation. The AI Preemption EO, which follows the release of a draft version in November, states that “[t]o win”
Continue Reading President Trump Signs Executive Order to Block State AI LawsEmerging Technologies
Washington State AI Task Force Releases AI Policy Recommendations for 2026
On December 1, the Washington State AI Task Force (“Task Force”) released its Interim Report with AI policy recommendations to the Governor and legislature. Established by the legislature in 2024, the Task Force is responsible for evaluating current and potential uses of AI in Washington and recommending regulatory and legislative actions to “ensure responsible AI…
Continue Reading Washington State AI Task Force Releases AI Policy Recommendations for 2026White House Drafts Executive Order to Preempt State AI Laws
By Matthew Shapanka & August Gweon on
According to reports published on November 19, the White House has prepared a draft Executive Order to preempt state AI regulations in lieu of a uniform national legislative framework, marking a significant escalation in federal efforts to assert control over AI regulation. The draft Executive Order, titled “Eliminating State Law Obstruction of National AI…
Continue Reading White House Drafts Executive Order to Preempt State AI LawsCommerce Department Solicits Feedback on AI Exports Program
By Holly Fechner, Matthew Shapanka & Samuel Klein on
The Commerce Department today published a Request for Information (RFI) inviting the public to submit comments on U.S. artificial intelligence exports. The RFI asks stakeholders to weigh in on aspects of the Department’s new “American AI Exports Program,” an initiative intended to “promot[e] the export of full-stack American AI technology packages.”
The RFI follows from…
Continue Reading Commerce Department Solicits Feedback on AI Exports ProgramCalifornia Governor Signs Landmark AI Safety Legislation
On September 29, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) signed into law SB 53, the Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act (“TFAIA”), establishing public safety regulations for developers of “frontier models,” or large foundation AI models trained using massive amounts of computing power. TFAIA is the first frontier model safety legislation in the country to…
Continue Reading California Governor Signs Landmark AI Safety LegislationNavigating California’s New and Emerging AI Employment Regulations
The California Civil Rights Council and the California Privacy Protection Agency have recently passed regulations that impose requirements on employers who use “automated-decision systems” or “automated decisionmaking technology,” respectively, in employment decisions or certain HR processes. On the legislative side, the California Legislature passed SB 7, which would impose additional obligations on employers who…
Continue Reading Navigating California’s New and Emerging AI Employment RegulationsSenator Cruz Unveils AI Framework and Regulatory Sandbox Bill
On September 10, Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee Chair Ted Cruz (R-TX) released what he called a “light-touch” regulatory framework for federal AI legislation, outlining five pillars for advancing American AI leadership. In parallel, Senator Cruz introduced the Strengthening AI Normalization and Diffusion by Oversight and eXperimentation (“SANDBOX”) Act (S. 2750), which…
Continue Reading Senator Cruz Unveils AI Framework and Regulatory Sandbox BillCalifornia Lawmakers Advance Suite of AI Bills
As the California Legislature’s 2025 session draws to a close, lawmakers have advanced over a dozen AI bills to the final stages of the legislative process, setting the stage for a potential showdown with Governor Gavin Newsom (D). The AI bills, some of which have already passed both chambers, reflect recent trends in state AI…
Continue Reading California Lawmakers Advance Suite of AI BillsTrump Administration Issues AI Action Plan and Series of AI Executive Orders
On July 23, the White House released its AI Action Plan, outlining the key priorities of the Trump Administration’s AI policy agenda. In parallel, President Trump signed three AI executive orders directing the Executive Branch to implement the AI Action Plan’s policies on “Preventing Woke AI in the Federal Government,” “Accelerating Federal Permitting of…
Continue Reading Trump Administration Issues AI Action Plan and Series of AI Executive OrdersCovington Robotics Forum Spotlight – Enhanced Autonomy: Strategies to Navigate New Regulations, Risks & Opportunities
On May 14, 2025, Covington convened experts across our practice groups for the Fourth Annual Covington Robotics Forum to explore the legal and regulatory risks and opportunities impacting robotics, AI, and connected devices. Eight Covington attorneys discussed global forecasts relevant to these spaces in a highly concentrated 90-minute session, culminating in an Industry Spotlight moderated…
Continue Reading Covington Robotics Forum Spotlight – Enhanced Autonomy: Strategies to Navigate New Regulations, Risks & Opportunities