President Donald Trump advocates limiting AI regulation to the federal level, framing AI competition with China as a 21st-century cold war and pushing a uniform federal framework via an executive order and a DOJ-led task force.

Trump’s approach prioritizes national security and federal preemption of state laws to create a cohesive AI policy landscape.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposed a Citizen Bill of Rights for Artificial Intelligence, signaling a state-level challenge to federal/regional efforts and a push to define AI policy within American values and federalism.

DeSantis’ proposal signals how states seek to shape AI regulation at the forefront of the national debate, emphasizing alignment with national values and local governance.

AI regulation is poised to become a major political issue in 2026, reflecting a clash between national security priorities and state/local regulatory autonomy.

At its core, the debate mirrors a long-standing constitutional struggle over whether regulation should be driven locally or by the federal government, now playing out in AI policy.

The piece frames AI regulation as a constitutional-skeptical tension between local governance and federal authority, signaling likely regulatory friction and policy battles through 2026 and beyond.

The article’s framing reflects conservative-leaning perspectives on regulation and national strategy in technology policy.

Energy writer David Blackmon compares AI regulatory dynamics to historic energy policy battles, connecting the AI debate to broader policy trends.

Sen. Bernie Sanders calls for slowing down AI deployment, warning about oligarchic control and job displacement, signaling cross-party concerns about oversight and economic impact.

Sanders’ cautionary stance underscores a broader bipartisan debate over how quickly to advance AI and whom it protects economically.

The article suggests 2026 will see a shift from a permissive to an active oversight regime for AI, mirroring the regulatory evolution seen in shale and other energy sectors.