In 2026, states will go head to head with the White House’s sweeping executive order.

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A political battle is brewing in 2026 over AI regulation in the United States. Trump's December 2025 executive order attempts to block state AI laws in favor of minimal federal regulation, but states like California and New York are pushing forward with their own safety legislation. The conflict will likely move to courts as states challenge federal overreach, while Congress remains gridlocked on creating national AI policy. Meanwhile, tech companies and AI safety advocates are funding competing super PACs to influence elections, and public pressure is mounting for regulation around child safety and data center resource consumption. The outcome of these state-level battles could shape AI development globally for years to come.

America’s coming war over AI regulation