A Smarter Approach to AI and How States Can Lead The Way: Jake Morabito on NewstalkSTL
"The new ALEC State AI Policy Toolkit is the definitive guide for not only legislators, but also business leaders and concerned citizens.
ALEC Senior Director of Policy Jake Morabito joined The Tim Jones and Chris Arps show to discuss state approaches to AI policy and to highlight the new ALEC State AI Policy Toolkit.
State Regulation of AI
“It is a very transformational technology, perhaps more transformational than even the internet. So that, that means there’s going to be some disruption,” Morabito said.
Morabito highlighted the role of states and the federal government in regulating AI, emphasizing the need for thoughtful legislation. However, he noted that some states are pursuing approaches that lean more toward being restriction over innovation.
“There’s some states that like California, New York, Illinois, the usual suspects that are leading as far as what not to do, as far as technology or supporting our innovators doing a more measured approach to policy,” Morabito said.
As states keep pursuing different approaches, there is a need for establishing general guidelines that balances AI regulation with innovation. Morabito pointed to the newly released ALEC State AI Policy Toolkit, designed to help states develop forward-thinking AI policies.
“We have this ALEC State AI Policy Toolkit that is the definitive guide for not only legislators, but also business leaders, and concerned citizens too, showcasing what are the forward-thinking policies that can help your state become the next hub for becoming a leader in this new AI technology,” he emphasized. “They’re ready-made ideas that any legislator should look at if they want to become leaders in AI.”
Federal and State Interplay on AI Policy
Morabito explains that AI policy is one of the top priorities for President Trump’s second administration.
“AI and data center policy have been top priorities for President Trump’s second administration. Pretty early on, he quickly rescinded the former president’s sweeping AI executive order that strictly regulated the technology,” Morabito noted.
“There’s this kind of tussle between federal and state as far as the appropriate role. It’s a classic federalism debate happening here, and what I’ve seen is what’s probably more successful is when states are more focused on specific consumer harm issues. So, clarifying that tightening up existing laws and existing frameworks that often is a lot better than creating sweeping new regulations.”