WASHINGTON, DC: The White House has announced Friday that it has paused a draft executive order aimed at pre-empting state laws governing artificial intelligence, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke to journalists for Reuters.
The hold applies to an order that would have enabled the federal government to challenge state AI statutes via lawsuits and conditional withholding of federal Under the draft, the U.S. Justice Department, under direction of the Pam Bondi-led team, was to establish an “AI Litigation Task Force” whose sole responsibility would be to contest state AI laws on grounds such as unconstitutional regulation of interstate commerce, preemption by federal rules, or other legal deficiencies.
The pause reflects the significant pushback the measure would likely have faced from states, as well as the complex interaction of federal, state and industry interests in AI governance. The White House offered no immediate comment on the decision.
The decision to halt the initiative underscores the tensions inherent in regulating fast-moving AI technology: companies have advocated for national uniformity to avoid a patchwork of state laws, but states and civil-society groups have emphasized local regulatory authority and safeguards. With the pause, stakeholders may gain more time to shape frameworks that balance innovation, competition and accountability.