South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson has aligned with a bipartisan group of attorneys general to oppose a federal proposal that would limit state authority over artificial intelligence (AI) regulation for the next decade. The proposal, which is part of a federal budget reconciliation bill, seeks to prevent states from enforcing any laws or regulations related to AI and automated decision-making systems.
Attorney General Wilson expressed concern over the proposal, stating, “AI brings real promise, but also real danger, and South Carolina has been doing the hard work to protect our citizens.” He criticized Congress for what he described as "federal overreach" and emphasized the importance of maintaining state-level oversight to safeguard citizens.
The coalition's letter to Congressional leaders, including Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, argues that the measure would hinder state efforts in consumer protection and roll back existing safeguards. This comes after Congress failed to establish a comprehensive federal regulatory framework for AI.
Under Wilson’s leadership, South Carolina has actively addressed issues related to emerging technologies. The state recently passed S.28, a significant law targeting AI-generated child sexual abuse material. Wilson highlighted that state attorneys general play a crucial role in consumer protection and stressed the need for responsible AI use in the absence of clear federal guidelines.
The full letter detailing these concerns is available for public reading.