California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a coalition of 40 attorneys general, has voiced opposition to a proposed 10-year ban on state-level regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) and automated decision-making systems. This proposal is part of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's amendments to the budget reconciliation bill.
The coalition expressed concerns in a letter to Congressional leaders, highlighting that the ban would eliminate existing state frameworks without establishing a federal regulatory system. "As the fourth largest economy in the world — built in large part on technological innovation and a commitment to protecting our residents — California knows that consumer protections and innovation go hand in hand," stated Attorney General Bonta. He emphasized the importance of allowing states to respond to AI developments while fostering innovation.
AI technology influences various sectors including finance, real estate, employment, education, and healthcare. Despite its potential benefits, AI poses risks due to its complexity and lack of transparency, which can lead to misinformation or biased outcomes.
In California, legislation addresses these challenges by prohibiting misleading deep-fakes and requiring disclosures for AI interactions. Additionally, healthcare-related AI tools must be supervised by medical professionals. In January 2025, new laws took effect alongside advisories issued by Attorney General Bonta reminding businesses of their obligations under California law.
Attorney General Bonta's stance aligns with attorneys general from numerous states and territories including Colorado, Tennessee, New Hampshire, Vermont, American Samoa, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Utah U.S Virgin Islands Virginia Washington Wisconsin.