Dear MoveOn member,
Big Tech—the companies developing AI and pushing it on us—have one aim: Maximize profits, no matter the cost.
That’s why these companies and Trump have partnered up to try and make it illegal for individual states to regulate AI.
Because when states and local municipalities halt the construction of data centers, enact safeguards for children’s use of chatbots, insert guardrails where AI is used to surveil workers, and affirm consumer’s rights, Big Tech’s profits are threatened. And we already know which side Trump is on.
In the face of zero to no federal oversight or regulation of AI, dozens of states across the country have enacted common-sense, people-first safeguards that protect kids, workers, and families.
For example, Connecticut requires employers to disclose when employees or job applicants are interacting with AI systems. Illinois forces AI developers to get an independent auditor to review compliance with their own safety policies. Across the country, both blue and red states have enacted restrictions on how AI chatbots can interact with people, especially children. A California executive order requires companies contracting with the states to prove that their AI models avoid harmful bias, unlawful discrimination, detention and surveillance. And this is just a small sample of the great progress states have made to protect us.1
But all of it is at risk of being stripped away if Big Tech gets its way.
Some members of Congress, including Democrat Rep. Trahan of Massachusetts, in cahoots with Big Tech are preparing to introduce the Great American AI Act, a bill that would allow federal law to override—or “preempt”—state-level AI regulations.2 Shockingly, this bill would block states from regulating the development of artificial intelligence for at least three years. It’s clear who this would benefit, and it’s not us.
States are our first line of defense and Big Tech is working to take them down. Will you sign the petition to oppose legislation that would erase AI safeguards that states have enacted to protect its residents?
Over the past year, Big Tech and Trump have tried to tie states’ hands from regulating AI multiple times. Last year, Trump signed an executive order to strip states of their authority to regulate AI and to have the Department of Justice sue states that do so.3 In Congress, he’s tried to sneak federal preemption into multiple pieces of legislation, but up until now, bipartisan opposition has halted those efforts.4 With a new bill making its way through Congress, we must pressure lawmakers to side with us once again.
Federal preemption threatens to erase hard-won AI safeguards in many states around the country. We must demand that our members of Congress stand with the people, not tech billionaires. Add your name to the petition.
After signing a major AI safeguard executive order, California’s Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement, “California’s always been the birthplace of innovation. But we also understand the flip side: In the wrong hands, innovation can be misused in ways that put people at risk.” “California leads in AI, and we’re going to use every tool we have to ensure companies protect people’s rights, not exploit them or put them in harm’s way.”5
That’s the type of leadership we need from every level of government. Without regulation, we are vulnerable to these companies' thirst for profits, no matter the human toll.
We cannot afford to wait around and see what happens. We need AI safeguards NOW to protect children, workers, and families.
Sign the petition to oppose the so-called Great American AI Act that would ban states from using their authority to regulate AI and erase all progress made to protect us so far.
Thanks for all you do.
–Kelsey, Aliya, Julia, Mona and the rest of the team
Sources:
1. "States Plow Ahead With A.I. Regulation, Defying Trump," The New York Times, March 30, 2026
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/30/technology/trump-states-ai-gavin-newsom-california.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
2. "Over 200 State Lawmakers Call on Congress to Oppose Great American AI Act Preemption Proposal," Americans for Responsible Innovation website, June 16, 2026
https://ari.us/over-200-state-lawmakers-call-on-congress-to-oppose-great-american-ai-act-preemption-proposal/
3. "States Plow Ahead With A.I. Regulation, Defying Trump," The New York Times, March 30, 2026
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/30/technology/trump-states-ai-gavin-newsom-california.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
4. Ibid.
5. "California to impose new AI regulations in defiance of Trump call," The Guardian, March 30, 2026
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/30/california-ai-regulations-trump
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