AI Framework Delivered From White House

On Friday, March 20, 2026, the Trump administration laid out the legislative AI framework for the United States. The outline centralizes the power in Washington, preempting state laws and potentially undercutting state efforts to regulate the use and development of AI technology.

“This framework can only succeed if it is applied uniformly across the United States. A patchwork of conflicting state laws would undermine American innovation and our ability to lead in the global AI race,” reads the White House statement.

AI Framework

The plan outlines seven key objectives that prioritize innovation and scaling, and proposes a centralized federal approach that would override stricter state regulations. Additionally, it places responsibility on parents for issues like child safety as well as soft, nonbinding expectations for platform accountability.

It states Congress should require AI companies to implement features that “reduce the risks of sexual exploitation and harm to minors,” however, it does not offer clear, enforceable regulations.

The AI framework comes three months after Trump signed an executive order directing federal agencies to challenge state laws. It gave the Department of Commerce 90 days to put together a list of “onerous” state AI laws, potentially risking states’ eligibility for federal funds. The agency had not yet pushed that list.

Additionally, the order directed the administration to work alongside Congress to establish uniform AI laws. This vision is coming together and mirrors Trump’s earlier AI strategy that focused more on promoting company growth and less on guardrails.

The framework proposes a “minimally burdensome national standard,” similar to the previous push to “remove outdated or unnecessary barriers to innovation” and accelerate the adoption of AI technology across industries.

It gives states authority over general laws like fraud, child protection, zoning, and state use. It does not allow for states to regulate the development of the technology. saying it is an “inherently interstate” issue tied to national security and foreign policy.

It will also prevent states from penalizing AI developers for unlawful conduct of a third party involving their models. This is a key liability shield for developers.

Missing From the AI Framework

The AI framework does not gesture toward liability frameworks, independent oversight, or enforcement mechanisms for potential harms caused by AI. It will centralize policymaking for the technology in Washington while leaving little room for states to regulate against emerging risks.

TechCrunch says “states are the sandboxes of democracy” and are quicker to pass laws to protect against emerging risks. Examples include New York’s RAISE Act and California’s SB-53, which aim to ensure large AI companies implement publicly documented safety protocols.

“White House AI czar David Sacks continues to do the bidding of Big Tech at the expense of regular, hardworking Americans. This federal AI framework seeks to prevent states from legislating on AI and provides no path to accountability for AI developers for the harms caused by their products,” says Brendan Steinhauser, CEO of the Alliance for Secure AI.

Most are celebrating this framework as it lends to innovation over regulation.

“This framework is exactly what startups have been asking for: a clear national standard so they can build fast and scale. Founders shouldn’t have to navigate a patchwork of conflicting state AI laws that impede innovation,” says Teresa Carlson, president of General Catalyst Institute.

Child Safety

Child safety is the central flashpoint in the AI debate. Some states are moving aggressively to create laws that will protect minors and place more responsibility on the companies. The administration is putting a greater emphasis on parental control over platform responsibility.

“Parents are best equipped to manage their children’s digital environment and upbringing. The Administration is calling on Congress to give parents tools to effectively do that, such as account controls to protect their children’s privacy and manage their device use,” the framework states.

The plan states the administration “believes” AI platforms need to “implement features to reduce potential sexual exploitation of children and encouragement of self-harm.” It looks to Congress to require safeguards and says existing laws, including those banning child sexual abuse materials, should also apply to AI systems. It employs qualifiers like “commercially reasonable” but does not deliver clear prerequisites.

Sources:

Axios: White House releases Trump’s National AI plan and framework
CNN: The White House just laid out how it wants to regulate AI
TechCrunch: Trump’s AI framework targets state laws, shifts child safety burden to parents

Featured Image Courtesy of Duncan Rawlinson – Duncan.co’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License