View source for News FTC AI Policy Statement 2026

The '''FTC AI Policy Statement''' was issued on March 11, 2026, by the Federal Trade Commission, applying Section 5 of the FTC Act (unfair or deceptive acts or practices) to artificial intelligence models.<ref name="bakerbotts">{{cite web |url=https://ourtake.bakerbotts.com/post/102mirs/march-2026-federal-deadlines-that-will-reshape-the-ai-regulatory-landscape |title=March 2026 Federal Deadlines That Will Reshape the AI Regulatory Landscape |publisher=Baker Botts |date=March 2026 |accessdate=April 7, 2026}}</ref><ref name="lw">{{cite web |url=https://www.lw.com/en/insights/trump-administration-takes-major-steps-toward-comprehensive-federal-ai-regulation |title=Trump Administration Takes Major Steps Toward Comprehensive Federal AI Regulation |publisher=Latham & Watkins |date=March 2026 |accessdate=April 7, 2026}}</ref>

== Background ==

The policy statement addresses the FTC's authority to take enforcement action against AI developers and deployers whose models produce outputs that are unfair or deceptive to consumers.<ref name="bakerbotts" /> It was issued in coordination with the Department of Commerce's assessment of state AI laws and the broader Trump administration effort to establish federal preemption over state AI regulation.<ref name="bakerbotts" /><ref name="lw" />

== Key Provisions ==

* Applies Section 5 of the FTC Act to AI model outputs, including generative AI<ref name="bakerbotts" />
* Addresses preemption of state laws that mandate alterations to AI outputs<ref name="bakerbotts" />
* Positions the FTC as the primary federal enforcer for AI-related consumer protection<ref name="lw" />
* Signals that requiring AI developers to modify model outputs could conflict with federal policy<ref name="bakerbotts" /><ref name="lw" />

== Significance ==

The statement establishes the FTC's jurisdictional claim over AI-related consumer harms at the federal level.<ref name="lw" /> It also supports the administration's preemption argument by suggesting that state laws requiring changes to AI outputs may be preempted by federal authority.<ref name="bakerbotts" /><ref name="lw" />

== See Also ==

* [[News DOJ-AI-Litigation-Task-Force-2026|DOJ AI Litigation Task Force]]
* [[News White-House-National-Policy-Framework-AI-2026|White House National Policy Framework for AI]]
* [[News Commerce-Dept-State-AI-Laws-Assessment-2026|Commerce Dept Assessment of State AI Laws]]

== References ==

<references />

[[Category:Federal Regulation]]
[[Category:FTC]]
[[Category:Consumer Protection]]