States that wish to pass laws regulating artificial intelligence can now do so without fear of losing federal broadband funds, now that an attempt by Texas Sen. Ted Cruz has failed in the U.S. Senate. Cruz said that state regulation of AI could cripple the industry in its infancy by creating a patchwork of regulations that companies would find difficult to manage.
Tech expert Omar Gallaga says Cruz faced opposition from both Democrats and his fellow Republicans in the Senate, and dropped his proposal before the Senate passed President Trump’s taxation and spending bill, of which the proposed moratorium was to be a part.
Highlights from this segment:
– Republicans and Democrats opposed Cruz’s moratorium for different reasons: Liberals wanted states to be able to provide more consumer and worker protections, while conservatives sought child safety options.
– Cruz’s bill would have cut off federal broadband funds to states that passed AI regulations.
