A New State and Federal Compact for Artificial Intelligence
This essay argues that “AI governance” can’t be reduced to hype, fear, or a single national rule that wipes out state oversight. Instead, it calls for a durable federal/state compact: strong federal standards where national interests dominate (national security, defense, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure), while preserving state and local authority over the very real, local impacts of AI—especially the growth of data centers and their electricity/water demands.
One of the sharper points is its critique of executive-order driven preemption. The author argues that trying to nullify state AI laws without Congress is both politically corrosive (backroom deals and quiet amendments) and legally dubious, given states’ police powers over public safety and consumer protection and the general presumption against preemption absent clear congressional intent.
The essay is also skeptical of “voluntary standards only” self-regulation. It pushes for detailed federal legislation, oversight, and transparency mechanisms (hearings, public comment, real accountability), with state-level safety laws serving as interim guardrails until Congress acts. Even if you disagree with some framing, it’s a concrete contribution to the question of how AI regulation should split responsibilities rather than collapsing into a zero-sum fight.