The United States - orders, guidance and state laws
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There is no single federal AI statute. Instead: executive orders (EO 14179 replaced the rescinded EO 14110, then America's AI Action Plan), federal guidance (Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, TAKE IT DOWN Act), existing-law enforcement (FTC Section 5, CFPB), and a wave of state laws like California TFAIA (SB 53) and NYC Local Law 144.
No single federal AI statute. Instead, executive orders, federal guidance, existing-law enforcement and a wave of state legislation.
- 📜 National Policy Framework for AI (11 Dec 2025) → aims to dissuade new state-level AI legislation by linking federal funding eligibility to compliance; will not preempt state laws on children's online safety or state government procurement and use of AI.
- 📜 EO 14179 → Removing Barriers (23 Jan 2025) → replaces the rescinded EO 14110 (Safe, Secure and Trustworthy AI); July 2025 brought America's AI Action Plan → over 90 federal actions, three new EOs, three pillars (accelerating innovation, building AI infrastructure, international leadership and security).
- 🧭 Guidance → Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights (2022) sets five principles; OMB guidance to federal agencies; DHS framework for safe AI in critical infrastructure.
- 🚫 TAKE IT DOWN Act → targets AI-generated, nonconsensual and deepfake images; platforms must remove harmful depictions (extra care for minors) and respond to valid removal requests within 48 hours
Short-term reality → AI is primarily regulated by existing laws and agencies → the FTC Section 5 applies to unfair and deceptive AI/ML practices; the CFPB requires creditors to explain specific reasons behind adverse credit decisions, including from 'black box' models.
| Law | Effective | One-liner |
|---|---|---|
| California TFAIA (SB 53) | 1 Jan 2026 | Frontier AI rules for the most advanced systems (Claude, Gemini, GPT-4.1, DALL-E 3) → transparency, safety, accountability, responsiveness while allowing innovation |
| California AB 2013 | 1 Jan 2026 | GenAI training data transparency |
| California SB 942 | 1 Jan 2026 | AI Transparency Act → watermarking and detection |
| Colorado AI Act (SB 24-205) | 1 Feb 2026 | Consequential decisions, AIAs → currently facing a proposed overhaul |
| Texas TRAIGA (HB 149) | 1 Jan 2026 | Responsible AI governance |
| Utah SB 226 / SB 149 | 7 May 2025 / 1 May 2024 | AI consumer protection amendments; AI Policy Act (disclosure in regulated professions) |
| NYC Local Law 144 | In force | Bias audits of AI-enabled employment tools |
| California BOT Act | In force | Prohibits bots encouraging a sale undisclosed |
Key terms - quick answers
What is “EO 14179”?
What is “America's AI Action Plan”?
What is “Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights”?
What is “TAKE IT DOWN Act”?
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