AI Regulation & Policy

Today's Stories

1. 1

   AI sovereign wealth fund decried as techno-imperialism

   A Financial Times column argues that an AI sovereign wealth fund is not progressive but is techno-imperialism. The column reframes the proposal as a form of imperialism, so its stated progressive purpose is contested.

   The debate hinges on how the fund is portrayed; the body gives no figures, dates, or next steps.

2. 2

   Wes Moore forms bipartisan governors AI group

   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." 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.

   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.

3. 3

   Trump's "morally binding" AI pledge signed by six labs

   The FTC opened a wide-ranging safety investigation into OpenAI and Anthropic, and Chair Andrew Ferguson is preparing civil investigative demands that can force executives to hand over documents and testify. The probe shows self-policing does not shield the labs from consequences, because the administration says existing laws still apply. Hedge: the FTC's scrutiny of agentic AI suggests the companies may face legal exposure over recent incidents.

   The outcome hinges on what Ferguson's demands turn up and whether the labs' promised industry-run safety body launches by end of year or early 2027.

4. 4

   MIRI backs Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act; ControlAI calls it too broad

   MIRI endorsed the Ban Artificial Superintelligence Act. ControlAI and other experts criticized it as overly broad or flawed. The act bans AI with one of six dangerous capabilities and restricts advanced AI to certified institutions. The bill aims to ban AI that could greatly harm society, but its drafting flaws may cause unintended negative consequences, according to the author's analysis.

   Whether the act's broad language gets revised before a vote. It would also prohibit AI that can automate or accelerate AI research, access secured systems without authorization, or keep operating despite attempts to shut it down.

5. 5

   Judge Amit Mehta tosses Chegg, Penske suits vs Google AI search

   Judge Amit Mehta dismissed antitrust suits by Chegg and Penske Media against Google over AI overviews, ruling that an "expectation" of search traffic is not a legal agreement. Without a formal arrangement, antitrust law doesn't apply to how Google harvests indexed content for AI answers, a blow to publishers claiming lost traffic.

   The ruling turns on the absence of a contract, so publishers may need explicit deals or opt-out terms to press similar claims. Mehta also heard the DOJ search case.

6. 6

   Tech CEOs Sign Voluntary AI Safety Accord at White House

   After a Tuesday White House meeting with President Trump, executives from Google, Tesla, Anthropic, Meta, and Nvidia signed the "White House Accord on Super Intelligence" agreeing to four layers of voluntary controls and audits including internal evaluations and outside audit firms. The accord's voluntary nature means the labs are essentially self-regulating, which critics like Leah Feiger suggest is more about reassuring the public ahead of midterms than imposing real oversight, especially as the FTC ramps up a probe of Anthropic and OpenAI.

   Whether voluntary self-regulation holds up as the FTC's probe of Anthropic and OpenAI proceeds and Democrats potentially take Congress, which could bring subpoenas and investigations the administration is already trying to avoid.