More Than 1,000 AI Bills Later, Here’s What States Are Actually Doing With Artificial Intelligence | American Enterprise Institute
Publish Date: 2026-02-13 05:35:00
Source Domain: www.aei.org
- In 2025, a significant number of AI-related legislative efforts emerged as state capitals considered over 1,000 AI bills, illustrating the intersection of AI technology with governance issues.
- Most state efforts centered on addressing AI’s practical implications, such as public-sector governance, consumer protection, safeguarding children, and preserving legal rights.
- A study from the University of Florida’s Project Navigate highlights a common regulatory strategy across states: governing internal AI use and regulating clear and enforceable harm areas.
- The top five areas for AI legislation in 2025 were public-sector governance, consumer protection, transparency and labeling, child safety, and biometrics. However, while many bills were introduced, relatively few were enacted.
- Different political leanings and regional priorities shaped states’ AI legislation: coastal Democratic-leaning states focused more on systemic governance and transparency, while more conservative states targeted specific harmful outcomes.
- States demonstrated a conservative, incremental approach to AI regulation due to technical and practical challenges, focusing on where enforcement seems feasible and public understanding is high.
- Looking forward, states face challenges such as assigning liability in multi-author AI systems and the potential impacts of federal preemption, with public perceptions of AI as both an opportunity and a threat. The balance of cautious regulation remains uncertain as AI capabilities and political pressures evolve.
