News White House National Policy Framework AI 2026
March 20, 2026 — The Trump administration released the National Policy Framework for AI, a non-binding framework calling for broad federal preemption of state AI laws deemed "undue burdens" on innovation.[1][2][3]
Key Provisions
The Framework organizes recommendations into seven thematic areas:[1][2]
- Protecting children and empowering parents: Prioritizes child safety measures[1]
- Safeguarding and strengthening communities: Addresses AI-enabled scams, fraud, national security risks, data center energy costs, and small business AI adoption[2][4]
- Respecting intellectual property and supporting creators: Supports IP protections without broad new mandates, deferring to courts and markets[5]
- Preventing censorship and protecting free speech: Safeguards against AI-driven censorship[1]
- Enabling innovation and U.S. AI dominance: Calls for regulatory sandboxes, access to federal datasets in AI-ready formats, removal of innovation barriers, and infrastructure support[2]
- Educating an AI-ready workforce: Promotes skills training and job creation in AI sectors[1]
- Targeted federal preemption: Establishes a national standard preempting state AI laws that impose "undue burdens" on AI development, use, and competitiveness[1][3]
Preemption Details
The Framework advocates targeted federal preemption of state AI laws while preserving state roles in consumer protection, fraud, and child safety.[1][2] It builds on the December 2025 Executive Order and the July 2025 AI Action Plan.[1]
Context
The Framework emerged alongside Senator Marsha Blackburn's TRUMP AMERICA AI Act discussion draft, with which it aligns on many issues but diverges on others.[1][6] The Commerce Department has been tasked with assessing "onerous" state AI laws — including Colorado's AI Act (effective June 2026), California's SB 53 and AB 2013, and New York's RAISE Act — for potential conflicts with federal policy.[1][6]