State attorney general elections are becoming the latest flashpoint in the fight over artificial intelligence regulation, as it moves from a gridlocked Washington to the campaign trail.
As distrust in the AI industry and its ability to self-regulate grows — with another jolt from dire warnings raised by industry leaders and insiders last month over AI’s existential risks — it’s presenting an especially ripe opportunity for the states’ top lawyers.
In red and blue states, attorney general incumbents and candidates are vowing to take on AI and the powerful companies behind it. Their pitch: They have the roadmap because they’ve already taken Big Tech to court and won, including a landmark $17 billion settlement with Meta in August.
“I think we’re just seeing so many instances of AI, Big Tech companies that don’t seem to think they play by the same rules as everybody else,” said Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat up for reelection in the perennial battleground. “I believe that Americans feel that and want to see us stand up for them and bring some of these companies to heel.”