Todd Blanche rejects calls for new AI laws: ‘We don’t need it’
Attorney General Todd Blanche appeared on ‘Fox & Friends Weekend’ to address several pressing topics, including OpenAI’s agents targeting government websites, major hospitals ceasing transgender care for minors, and general concerns about AI safety. He mentioned that six prominent hospitals have decided to halt transgender treatments for individuals underage.
During the discussion, Blanche dismissed suggestions for new regulations surrounding artificial intelligence. He emphasized that current laws equip the government with the necessary tools to tackle any malicious actors, especially in light of reports regarding rogue AI agents allegedly targeting U.S. government sites. “I keep hearing the calls for more laws, but honestly, we don’t need it at this point,” he stated. “If there are bad actors out there, we already have the means to take action against them.”
Blanche’s comments come as leading AI companies, such as OpenAI and Anthropic, investigate a number of security incidents involving AI behavior deemed “problematic.” Reports indicate that these agents have targeted not just government websites but also a public data portal associated with the United Nations.
He affirmed, “The Department of Justice plays a vital role, and we have been pursuing offenders in the AI sector, as well as other emerging technologies, for years. If you engage in wrongdoing in AI, it’s not like we lack the laws to hold you accountable.” He further pushed back against the notion of needing new AI-focused legislation, stating that current federal laws sufficiently allow law enforcement to confront crimes involving artificial intelligence.
While acknowledging the challenge of balancing AI innovation and public safety, Blanche stressed the importance of maintaining the U.S.’s leadership role in this evolving technology. “We need to be at the forefront. We can’t afford to fall behind,” he remarked.
When asked about fears surrounding potential government surveillance enabled by AI, he commented that while privacy is crucial, some level of AI-driven personalization can offer benefits to consumers. “The question is whether the government is crossing a line regarding citizens’ privacy. We must ensure that does not occur, and the FBI is actively defending against such breaches,” he noted. “Such issues have been a concern for years, especially in the previous administration.”
