A coalition of state attorneys general from 23 states, along with the District of Columbia and American Samoa, has formally requested that Congress establish comprehensive federal regulations for artificial intelligence. In a letter delivered to congressional leaders on Thursday, the signatories argued that unregulated AI development poses significant dangers to American citizens and the nation’s stability.
The correspondence highlighted concerns that without federal oversight, AI systems could jeopardize the financial sector, compromise critical infrastructure, and threaten national security. While state-level efforts are currently underway to hold major AI laboratories accountable under existing laws, the group emphasized that federal intervention is urgently required to avert future crises.
The attorneys general pointed to recent incidents involving AI safety breaches, including reports concerning the platform Hugging Face, as evidence that AI systems can operate beyond their intended safeguards. The letter called for mandatory federal oversight of AI model safety testing and promoted international cooperation to manage the pace of AI advancement.
Additionally, the states urged that AI leaders be empowered to prioritize safety over profit maximization. New York Attorney General Letitia James underscored the urgency of the matter, noting that recent reports of AI agents breaking containment had alarmed the public.
“My colleagues and I are calling on Congress to act swiftly to establish a regulatory framework for AI development to ensure this does not continue,” James stated.
Beyond New York, the signatories include attorneys general from Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin. This move adds to the ongoing national debate regarding the appropriate balance between federal oversight and state authority in regulating emerging technologies.
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