Artificial intelligence should be regulated at the federal level. Congress, not fifty separate states, should set the framework.
AI operates across state lines instantly and shapes interstate commerce by its nature. That places it squarely within Congress’s constitutional authority. A patchwork of state laws would create confusion for businesses and uneven protections for citizens. National markets require national standards.
That does not mean Utah has no role. If Congress delays, the state may need to address immediate risks, especially when it comes to protecting children and requiring transparency from companies operating here. Governor Spencer Cox has argued that states cannot simply wait while technology evolves. On that point, there is merit.
But state action must be disciplined. The Utah Legislature should focus on narrow, practical safeguards tied directly to public safety. AI policy should not become a vehicle for expanding authority or signaling political independence. Temporary and targeted protections are defensible. Sweeping regulatory systems that invite conflict are not.
Federal leadership, meanwhile, must come from Congress itself. When President Trump’s administration raises concerns about fragmented state laws, the instinct for consistency is understandable. Yet consistency should be achieved through legislation, not executive maneuvering that sidelines both Congress and the states.
The real risk is escalation. Aggressive state expansion met with aggressive federal response leads to lawsuits, uncertainty, and stalled innovation. That outcome protects no one.
AI is powerful and fast moving. It demands clarity at the national level and restraint at every level. Congress should establish a clear federal floor that defines transparency, accountability, and protections for children. States like Utah should operate within that framework, adding carefully considered protections where genuine local needs exist.
If we want AI governed responsibly, we cannot be passive. Congress must legislate. Utah must protect wisely. And citizens must demand both.
Casserole Caucus 