Tech Talks: Regulating AI in the States — From the Legislative Process to Implementation

AI Policy & Governance, Free Expression, Tech Talk Tech Talks: Regulating AI in the States — From the Legislative Process to Implementation Today’s episode takes a deep dive into the rapidly evolving landscape of state-level tech policy, reviewing how legislatures across the country are addressing the rapid deployment of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is being used across critical domains such as healthcare, education, employment, and government services, and the urgency to utilize these technologies in such high stakes contexts has sparked significant debate over state regulatory authority, oversight, and how to best protect constituents from AI harms. To contextualize the outcomes of the 2025 legislative session, recap the action so far in 2026, and project policy priorities in the year to come, we are joined by Travis Hall, Director for State Engagement, and Maddy Dwyer, Policy Analyst for State Engagement. The discussion covers the ongoing tension surrounding the federal government’s push to preempt state AI laws, identifies robust regulatory models emerging at the state level, and anticipates the next wave of technology issues lawmakers must address. Drawing in part on CDT’s recent research detailing how states focused on the responsible use of AI in education during the 2025 legislative session and expanded their attention to placing guardrails on public sector AI use, they unpack how the focus is shifting from passing bills to the complicated work of on-the-ground implementation. The conversation underscores the essential role that state regulation — from legislation to executive orders to attorney general enforcement to agency guidance — plays in ensuring individuals’ rights and safety are protected in the age of AI. (CDT relies on the generosity of donors like you. If you enjoyed this episode of Tech Talk, you can support it and our work at CDT by going to cdt.org/techtalk. Thank you for putting democracy and individual rights at the center of the digital revolution.)