Who is leading the new bipartisan governors group on AI?

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is forming the group and said his National Governors Association co-chair, Republican Gov. Mike Braun of Indiana, would partner with him in developing an AI framework.

Why is Gov. Moore critical of the federal government's AI response?

Moore said the federal government has a unique leadership role that includes both the White House and Congress, and criticized Congress for leaving Washington without addressing AI. He called Trump's White House meeting with AI executives a "billionaire boys club."

What have states done on AI regulation so far?

In the past month, governors in Maryland, California, Illinois, Oregon and Virginia have issued executive orders or taken other steps intended to create standards for AI. Republican governors including Spencer Cox of Utah and Greg Abbott of Texas have cracked down on data center development.

AI Regulation & PolicyTop Companies' AI MovesTop Companies AI6h agoOct 2, 2026, 06:30 JST

Wes Moore forms bipartisan governors AI group

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3 Key Points

What happened
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is forming a bipartisan group of governors to develop an AI framework, with Indiana Republican Gov. Mike Braun as co-chair. Moore, this year's National Governors Association chair, called Trump's White House AI meeting a "billionaire boys club."
Why it matters
Governors from both parties are stepping in as states take more action on AI than the federal government, Moore said, arguing they cannot "just sit on our hands" while Washington remains gridlocked.
What to watch
The effort's influence hinges on how many governors from both parties actually join and whether their framework can shape rules for a technology that spans state and national borders.

WHO IT HITSState government affairs teams and policy staff at AI and data center companies will need to track a multistate framework that could set varying standards across the states where they operate.

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Context & Analysis

Moore's move comes as states have been more active than the federal government on AI, though their power is limited when it comes to a technology that spans the country and the globe. In the past month, governors in Maryland, California, Illinois, Oregon and Virginia have issued executive orders or taken other steps intended to create some standards for the technology, and Republicans including Spencer Cox of Utah and Greg Abbott of Texas have cracked down on data center development. In Washington, Sen. Bernie Sanders hosted a briefing with lawmakers and experts last month, and Sen. Josh Hawley launched an investigation into OpenAI, but there has been little agreement on a legislative response. President Trump has dismissed AI fears as a "hoax" and emphasized staying competitive with technology developed in China. Moore acknowledged that elements of an AI executive order he signed in 2024 are "antiquated now," saying the operations might move but his values will never move. The effort's reach may depend on how many governors from both parties join and whether a state-led framework can carry weight beyond individual states.

FAQ

Who is leading the new bipartisan governors group on AI?: Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is forming the group and said his National Governors Association co-chair, Republican Gov. Mike Braun of Indiana, would partner with him in developing an AI framework.
Why is Gov. Moore critical of the federal government's AI response?: Moore said the federal government has a unique leadership role that includes both the White House and Congress, and criticized Congress for leaving Washington without addressing AI. He called Trump's White House meeting with AI executives a "billionaire boys club."
What have states done on AI regulation so far?: In the past month, governors in Maryland, California, Illinois, Oregon and Virginia have issued executive orders or taken other steps intended to create standards for AI. Republican governors including Spencer Cox of Utah and Greg Abbott of Texas have cracked down on data center development.

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