U.S. Senate overwhelmingly votes to end AI regulation moratorium

WASHINGTON: The Republican-controlled U.S. Senate voted 99-1 to scrap a 10-year federal moratorium on state-level regulation of artificial intelligence, removing the restriction from President Trump’s sweeping $3.3 trillion tax-cut and spending package.

The amendment, introduced by Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn, was adopted during a marathon “vote-a-rama” session in which lawmakers considered numerous changes to the bill.

By lifting the federal ban, the amendment would allow individual states to set their own AI rules, a move supporters say is necessary to address emerging risks and technologies at the local level. The overall bill remains under debate as Republicans seek to finalize their priorities.