Advocates urge states to retain AI regulatory power

The Future of Work Collaborative has urged Congress to preserve state authority over artificial intelligence regulation, warning that federal preemption would eliminate essential oversight in the absence of comprehensive national legislation. In a statement issued October 19, 2026, the advocacy group argued that stripping states of regulatory power would create a dangerous governance vacuum given current congressional gridlock. The organization contends that local authorities remain the only viable entities capable of managing immediate AI risks effectively. This intervention highlights growing tension between industry groups seeking uniform federal standards and civil society organizations prioritizing active enforcement. The debate centers on whether a lack of federal action justifies maintaining a patchwork of state regulations or necessitates waiting for national consensus. No specific legislative bill was cited, but the statement responds to ongoing discussions regarding potential federal AI framework preemption clauses.