Omidyar Network condemns Trump administration EO banning state AI regulations

In response to the Trump administration’s executive order preempting essential state and local AI regulations, Omidyar Network CEO Mike Kubzansky released the following statement:

As a philanthropic investor in AI companies and funds, Omidyar Network is acutely aware of the risks to innovators and investors created by inconsistent or poorly drafted rules. But the solution is not to preempt state and local laws.

Americans are rightly concerned about AI’s impact on kids, jobs, and the costs imposed on consumers and communities by the rapid development of data centers. Ignoring these issues through a blanket moratorium is an abdication of what elected officials owe their constituents — which is why we strongly oppose the Administration’s recent executive action. We also urge Congress to reject any attempts to impose a national moratorium on new AI safeguards.

Rather than overriding or attacking the efforts of California, Florida, Texas, and the 35 other states that have passed AI-related legislation this year, Congress and the Administration should instead focus on building a strong federal framework that mirrors their best features: keeping our children and communities safe, supporting workers, and furthering innovation and entrepreneurship. Doing so will require genuine collaboration between industry, civil society, and government at every level. But it is the only path to a future where AI both advances America’s prosperity and protects the public.”