House Speaker Pushes for National AI Regulation

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-Louisiana) is advocating for a national framework to regulate artificial intelligence (AI), though he cautions against excessive governmental control.

“America will win the AI race if we do two things: resist the temptation to overregulate and have the industry step up as partners for the country,” Johnson stated. “I believe we can achieve both.” He shared his views during the Hill & Valley Forum, a bipartisan event where lawmakers meet with private sector leaders to discuss U.S. innovation in AI.

Johnson emphasized three key areas that Congress must focus on regarding AI. Firstly, he insisted that there should be a single national regulation that safeguards children and communities while supporting creators, steering clear of a confusing patchwork of state rules. “Frequent policy changes can create market confusion and ultimately go against national interests,” he noted.

Additionally, he suggested treating AI as a national security issue, positing that such technologies should remain in the hands of allies, rather than adversaries.

The final point raised by Johnson was the need to “act with the urgency that victory demands.” His comments come on the heels of President Donald Trump’s announcement of his own AI regulatory framework, which aims to strengthen protections against self-harm and exploitation related to AI, facilitate faster permitting for data centers, and prevent the misuse of AI to suppress free speech.

For this proposal to make a real impact, it needs to be drafted into a bill and passed by Congress. There are also reports that President Trump plans to halt any new state-level AI regulations.