In 2026, 43 states introduced over 240 AI-focused bills, nearly matching the total introduced in all of 2025, according to Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP. This rapid proliferation of state-level initiatives creates a complex, diverse regulatory landscape for emerging technologies.
This aggressive state legislative effort, however, directly conflicts with the federal government's strategy. States are actively legislating AI with hundreds of new bills, but the federal government is actively seeking to preempt these diverse state laws to establish a national standard.
The immediate future of AI regulation will be characterized by significant federal-state legal battles, likely leading to a more centralized, but initially chaotic, regulatory environment for startups.
The White House Declares Federal Supremacy in AI Regulation
On March 20, 2026, the White House released its National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence, signaling direct federal intervention in AI governance, according to Consumer Finance Monitor. This framework establishes federal authority over AI policy, aiming to standardize regulatory approaches across the United States. The Legislative Framework sets forth seven key objectives for federal AI legislation, as reported by Wiley. A core recommendation involves federal preemption of state AI laws that impose undue burdens, designed to establish a national standard, according to Consumer Finance Monitor. Together, these objectives and preemption calls confirm a strategic move to centralize AI regulation, overriding fragmented state efforts.
This directive extends federal preemption across seven distinct pillars of AI, as noted by MoFo. The federal government has formally launched a comprehensive strategy to centralize AI regulation, aiming to override the fragmented state-level efforts and prevent a patchwork of conflicting rules.
