THIS WEEK IN AI
Candice Bryant Consulting
Strategic Intelligence & Public Affairs
Each week I synthesize the key developments in AI and public policy so you don’t have to. Here’s what I’m watching:
• The White House is preparing an executive order to challenge state AI laws
• The administration released its National Security Strategy reaffirming AI as a vital national interest
• Local pushback is delaying data center projects across dozens of states
Taken together, this week’s news underscores the ongoing battle over AI regulation and the competing interests of federal and state authorities, the tech industry, and local communities.
How to Read This Newsletter: This Week in AI applies the same principles of concise writing used to brief busy policymakers. Each entry contains a summary and analysis—if you already know what happened, jump straight to "What I'm Watching" for insights.
1. President Trump Confirms Plans to Go After State AI Laws
President Trump confirmed he will sign an executive order to challenge state-level AI laws, arguing that the growing “patchwork” of regulations is slowing innovation and undermining U.S. competitiveness — a move seen as a win for tech companies lobbying for deregulation. The administration attempted a similar approach earlier this year with a proposed 10-year ban on state AI legislation. That effort failed after opposition from consumer and child-safety groups, who warned that eliminating state laws would leave no meaningful guardrails in place, especially following the rollback of Biden-era AI protections. A draft order that circulated last month indicated the administration planned to challenge state laws in court and potentially withhold federal grants and other funding from states as leverage.
What I’m Watching:
As federal and state authorities continue to clash over who sets the rules for AI, expect interest groups that helped sink the earlier state-preemption proposal to become more vocal — particularly as questions about safety, consumer protections, and labor impacts grow more urgent.
2. National Security Strategy Reaffirms Tech as a Vital National Interest
The White House released its National Security Strategy, which frames U.S. leadership in AI, biotech, and quantum computing as core, vital national interests. The NSS largely reinforces positions the administration has already staked out: the U.S. must lead in emerging technologies, strengthen and secure its supply chains, build more manufacturing at home, ensure reliable and affordable energy for compute, move faster in getting new capabilities into the field, remain competitive against China, and prioritize American workers.
What I’m Watching:
The NSS doesn’t introduce new AI policy so much as it clarifies the administration’s worldview. What I’m watching now is what actions the administration takes to loosen rules it sees as slowing innovation and how agencies implement the president’s priorities. DoD is already moving on acquisitions reform, HHS just released a department-wide AI strategy, and more agencies are likely to follow with their own plans.
3. Local Pressure on Data Centers Continues to Build
More than 230 environmental and community organizations sent an open letter to Congress calling for a national pause on new data centers, citing concerns over energy demand, water use, land impacts, and rising utility costs. Research firms have reported significant delays in data center projects across dozens of states amid growing local opposition. This has become a pain point for tech companies, with Nvidia’s CEO recently complaining that it takes about three years to build a data center in the United States, while China “can build a hospital in a weekend.”
What I’m Watching:
As demand for AI infrastructure accelerates, companies will face heightened scrutiny over energy and water use, and local pushback will remain a powerful force. In this environment, early and sustained engagement with residents and community leaders remains one of the most effective ways to address concerns, clarify misconceptions, and reduce the risk of protracted delays.
