Federal AI Regulation in America: State vs. Federal Power, Deepfakes, and National Security

In Episode 5 of AI on the Ballot, Congressman Ted Lieu, Professor Aziz Huq, and Ben Winters tackle the urgent question: who really governs AI in America? With Congress yet to pass a comprehensive federal AI law, states like Colorado and New York have stepped in — only to face federal pushback. This episode explores the battle between state and federal AI regulation, the risks of deepfakes and AI fraud, and the national security stakes in the U.S.–China tech race.

From consumer protection to catastrophic risk, from data centers to civil rights, our guests reveal how AI touches every aspect of democracy and daily life. Learn why “patchwork laws” may be more myth than reality, how industry lobbyists shape the debate, and what voters
should demand from their representatives. Essential viewing for policymakers, technologists, and engaged citizens tracking the future of AI governance, innovation, and democracy in the United States.