In this episode of the Responsible AI Podcast, journalist Austin Jenkins reveals how state legislatures are outpacing Congress in the race to regulate AI. As Jenkins notes, "State legislators are very motivated to pass laws because this is what they were elected to do."

From California's chatbot laws to Illinois' anti-discrimination efforts, states are taking bold steps to address AI's societal impacts. Discover how these local initiatives are setting the stage for national policy and what it means for the future of technology governance. Tune in to explore the dynamic interplay between state innovation and federal inaction.

Highlights

• This is the third year of state AI regulation—what’s happening now and why it matters.
• California’s SB 243 and the deepfake drama.
• Why industry keeps pushing back and how states are still ahead of Washington (and the feds).
• The European EU AI Act vs. the US politics of innovation—who’s winning the race?
• Can journalism survive in the age of AI—should young reporters learn coding or storytelling?
• What’s next? Predictions for the AI legal landscape over the next five years—spoiler: more local laws, fewer big ones.

Chapters

01:09 Austin Jenkins: A Journalist's Journey

03:36 The State of AI Regulation

07:11 Chatbot Regulation and Child Safety

09:34 State vs. Federal Regulation Dynamics

12:57 Industry Influence on AI Legislation

16:20 Deepfakes and Political Advertising

18:01 Children's Safety and Social Media Regulation

20:14 Algorithmic Discrimination and Employment

23:46 Private Right of Action in AI Regulation

26:16 Comparing US and EU AI Regulation

29:16 The Future of AI Regulation

32:40 The Role of AI in Journalism