May 15, 2025

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House Republicans Block State AI Regulation, China Develops AI Robots

House Republicans have introduced a provision to block states from regulating artificial intelligence for the next decade as part of a federal budget reconciliation bill. This move has been met with criticism from Democrats, who argue that it would put Americans at risk and undermine efforts to protect consumers from potential dangers of AI. The proposed ban would affect a wide range of automated decision systems, including those used in healthcare, criminal justice, and online content moderation. Several states have already enacted laws to regulate AI, and this ban would render those laws impossible to enforce. Meanwhile, AI continues to be developed and used in various fields, including manufacturing, education, and hospitality. China is developing AI-powered humanoid robots to transform manufacturing, while companies like Cato Networks and Thinkster are launching AI-powered tools to improve security policies and provide personalized learning experiences. Additionally, AI is being used to aid city and county building officials in reviewing permit requests and to automate tasks such as responding to RFPs and drafting proposals.

Key Takeaways

  • House Republicans propose a 10-year ban on state AI regulation as part of a federal budget reconciliation bill.
  • The proposed ban would prevent states from enforcing new or existing laws related to AI.
  • Democrats argue that the ban would put Americans at risk and undermine efforts to protect consumers from potential dangers of AI.
  • Several states have already enacted laws to regulate AI, which would be rendered impossible to enforce by the ban.
  • AI is being developed and used in various fields, including manufacturing, education, and hospitality.
  • China is developing AI-powered humanoid robots to transform manufacturing.
  • Companies like Cato Networks and Thinkster are launching AI-powered tools to improve security policies and provide personalized learning experiences.
  • AI is being used to aid city and county building officials in reviewing permit requests.
  • AI is being used to automate tasks such as responding to RFPs and drafting proposals in the hospitality industry.
  • Proposals for regulating artificial intelligence have been introduced, including the AI Training Data Transparency Act and the Responsible AI Safety and Education Act.

GOP Proposes 10 Year Ban on State AI Regulation

House Republicans have introduced a provision to block states from regulating artificial intelligence for the next decade. The proposed ban is part of a federal budget reconciliation bill and would prevent states from enforcing new or existing laws related to AI. This move has been met with criticism from Democrats, who argue that it would put Americans at risk and undermine efforts to protect consumers from potential dangers of AI. The ban would affect a wide range of automated decision systems, including those used in healthcare, criminal justice, and online content moderation. Several states have already enacted laws to regulate AI, and this ban would render those laws impossible to enforce.

Republicans Propose No Regulation of AI for 10 Years

House Republicans have added a new provision to their budget bill that would block states from regulating artificial intelligence for the next decade. The move could upend hundreds of state-level AI laws and reshape the national debate over tech oversight. The provision would halt both existing and future state restrictions on a wide class of AI and automated decision-making systems. Tech companies have long argued against a 'patchwork' of inconsistent state regulations, saying it would hamper innovation and investment. However, Democrats warn that this shift could disregard consumer privacy and allow unchecked AI misuse.

Federal GOP Led Measure Could Block NY AI Regulations

A proposed 10-year moratorium on state-level enforcement of AI regulations could block New York from implementing its own AI regulations. The measure, introduced by federal Republicans, would prevent states from enforcing laws that set guardrails on the use of artificial intelligence. New York has already passed laws to regulate AI, including measures to crack down on sexually explicit deepfakes of minors and to address concerns about emotional dependence on AI chatbots. However, the federal measure could undermine these efforts and give large tech companies a win.

House Republicans Push 10 Year Ban on State AI Regulation

The US House of Representatives Committee on Energy and Commerce has voted to advance a decade-long moratorium on state AI regulations as part of the federal budget reconciliation bill. The moratorium would render AI measures implemented by states impossible to enforce. Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Jan Schakowsky called the moratorium 'a giant gift to Big Tech.' Republican lawmakers argued that regulations across 50 states pose too great a challenge for federal rules to be effectively developed. However, Democrats warn that this shift could disregard consumer privacy and allow unchecked AI misuse.

GOP Wants to Deregulate AI with 10 Year Ban

House Republicans are trying to sneak a 10-year pause on AI regulation into the Budget Reconciliation bill. The provision would prevent states and local governments from enforcing any legislation on AI. Several states have already enacted laws to control the use of AI, but this ban would render those laws impossible to enforce. Tech companies have long argued against a 'patchwork' of inconsistent state regulations, saying it would hamper innovation and investment. However, Democrats warn that this shift could disregard consumer privacy and allow unchecked AI misuse.

China Develops AI Powered Humanoid Robots

China is developing AI-powered humanoid robots to transform manufacturing. The robots are being trained to perform tasks such as folding clothes and making sandwiches. Chinese authorities are handing out generous subsidies to support the development of these robots. The goal is to make China a leader in the field of artificial intelligence and robotics. The robots are being designed to be able to learn and adapt to new situations, making them more efficient and effective in the workplace.

Cato Networks Unveils AI Engine for Security Policies

Cato Networks has announced the launch of its AI-powered policy analysis engine, Cato Autonomous Policies. The engine is designed to optimize and improve all SASE policies, including security, access, and networking. It provides targeted, AI-driven recommendations for eliminating unnecessary security exposure and tightening access control. The engine is included as a native capability of the Cato SASE Cloud Platform and requires no setup or additional cost.

TechCrunch Sessions AI Offers Limited Time Discount

TechCrunch Sessions: AI is offering a limited-time discount for attendees. The event will feature speakers from top AI companies, including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Tanka. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn from industry leaders and network with peers. The event will take place on June 5 at UC Berkeley's Zellerbach Hall. A general admission ticket is available for $292, with a 50% discount on a second ticket.

Bowling Green to Offer AI Major Next School Year

Bowling Green State University will offer a new major in AI + X next fall. The program will combine courses on AI with specific fields such as history, journalism, physics, and mathematics. The goal is to provide students with a unique perspective on how to apply AI in different domains. The program is designed to be interdisciplinary, allowing students to explore the applications of AI in various fields.

AI Revolutionizes Meeting and Group Revenue

The use of artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the way hotels handle meeting and group bookings. AI-powered tools are being used to automate tasks such as responding to RFPs and drafting proposals. This is allowing hotels to respond faster and more efficiently to potential clients, resulting in increased revenue. Radisson Hotel Group has seen significant results from implementing AI-driven tools, including a reduction in response time from two hours to just one hour.

AI to Speed Up Sluggish Permitting for Fire Rebuilds

Artificial intelligence will be used to aid city and county building officials in reviewing permit requests for fire rebuilds in Los Angeles County. The AI software will examine applications for basic compliance with zoning and building codes, suggest corrections, and provide a standardized report for human plan checkers to review. The goal is to speed up the permitting process, which has been criticized for being too slow. The software is expected to reduce the time it takes to review permit requests from five business days to two or three.

Thinkster Launches Patented AI Coach

Thinkster has launched a patented AI coach that provides personalized learning experiences for students. The AI coach uses a combination of temporal and static models to track student behavior and build a longitudinal map of concept mastery. The coach generates new questions and interventions that meet the learner exactly where they are, providing explainable and data-driven instruction. The goal is to improve student outcomes and provide a more effective and efficient learning experience.

Klarna CEO Says AI Helped Company Shrink Workforce

Klarna CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski has stated that the company's investment in artificial intelligence has helped to shrink its workforce by about 40%. The company has deployed AI tools to automate many jobs, including customer service. Siemiatkowski said that the use of AI has allowed the company to reduce its headcount from 5,000 to 3,000 employees. However, he also noted that the reduction was not solely due to AI, but also due to natural attrition.

Proposals for Regulating Artificial Intelligence

A member of the New York State Assembly has introduced proposals for regulating artificial intelligence. The AI Training Data Transparency Act would require AI firms to make their safety testing protocols visible and protect whistleblowers who call attention to AI dangers. The Responsible AI Safety and Education Act would require developers to meet certain safety and security requirements before launching their platforms. The goal is to ensure that AI is developed and used in a responsible and safe manner.

Sources

AI Regulation Artificial Intelligence State Regulation Federal Ban Tech Oversight Consumer Privacy