Federal policymakers are taking new steps to coordinate national artificial intelligence policy and review the growing number of state laws governing artificial intelligence (AI) systems.

In late 2025, the Administration issued an executive order directing multiple federal agencies to examine state level AI regulations and assess whether certain requirements may conflict with federal policy objectives related to innovation, economic competitiveness, and national technology leadership. The order calls on agencies including the Department of Justice, the Department of Commerce, the Federal Communications Commission, and the Federal Trade Commission to review existing state laws and report on provisions that may be burdensome, duplicative, or inconsistent with emerging federal priorities.

The directive reflects a broader federal effort to develop a more unified national approach to AI governance. Over the past several years, many states have begun adopting their own regulatory frameworks addressing issues such as algorithmic transparency, consumer protection, and discrimination risks in automated decision systems. Federal officials have expressed concern that a rapidly expanding patchwork of state requirements could complicate compliance for organizations deploying AI technologies across multiple jurisdictions.

At this stage, the executive order does not change professional licensure requirements, engineering standards, procurement authorities, standards of care, or liability frameworks. It also does not invalidate existing state AI laws. Instead, it initiates a federal review process intended to identify where state requirements may conflict with federal policy goals and whether additional federal action may be warranted.

For engineers, the issue highlights the growing role of AI in infrastructure, manufacturing, transportation, and other systems that directly affect public health, safety, and welfare. Engineers are increasingly involved in the design, deployment, and oversight of AI enabled technologies used in safety critical environments and public facing systems.

The topic also intersects with NSPE policy recognizing that individuals who design, develop, deploy, or oversee AI systems affecting public safety should be held to professional standards that prioritize transparency, accountability, and protection of the public.

As federal agencies begin reviewing state AI laws, questions surrounding regulatory authority, oversight structures, and responsibility for AI systems are likely to evolve. Greater federal coordination could simplify compliance in some areas, but changes to state authority could also influence how oversight occurs when AI systems produce harmful or unintended outcomes.

For now, NSPE is closely monitoring how federal agencies implement the executive order and how related policy discussions develop. NSPE will continue providing updates to members and state societies as additional information becomes available.