Five things to watch on AI policy in 2026
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2026 will see rapid AI developments across the political, policy and legal spectrum.
From our perch in D.C. covering all things AI policy here, across the country and around the world, here are five things we're watching closely:
1. AI on the ballot: From data center buildouts to deals with China and new AI safety rules, AI issues with real implications for people's lives are set to motivate voters like never before.
- Most Republicans have placed themselves in the pro-innovation, limited-guardrails camp with President Trump, but cracks in that coalition are increasing. Meanwhile, Democrats are scrambling to find their AI message.
- The Trump-aligned tech industry is also staring down high-profile legal challenges, and the president's policies could be caught in legal battles.
2. The future of Trump's AI agenda: The president has signed a host of AI-related executive orders. Now the White House has to carry them out and enforce them.
- We'll be watching to see how the order aiming to hamstring state AI laws works in practice, which states will be targeted, and how it might further alienate GOP governors who want to regulate AI.
- Another executive order aims to fuel scientific R&D, and the administration is eager to figure out how AI energy demands can be met without hurting American's wallets.
- The administration will also call on industry early this year to submit proposals for its AI export program, according to the International Trade Administration.
3. AI rules the world: The U.S. may be advocating for AI development with few rules, but major players abroad are not.
- If AI companies want to work in lucrative markets overseas, they'll have to comply with their rules.
- With the European Union already paring back its landmark AI Act, we'll be interested to see how the companies make those rules work for them.
4. White House AI power play: Silicon Valley power player David Sacks has been calling the shots in the White House when it comes to AI policy, pushing through the executive order on state AI laws and championing the export control policies favorable to companies like Nvidia.
- We'll be watching to see whether he maintains his power at the White House and who else may emerge to have a powerful voice on AI.
- Vice President JD Vance, who was originally tapped to work on AI issues, has been largely absent from public debate on it after participating in a major Paris AI summit early last year.
- This year, Under Secretary of State for Economic Affairs Jacob Helberg is going to a high-profile AI summit in India.
5. States fill the AI vacuum: States will continue to introduce and pass dozens of AI-related laws, and are likely to get caught up in litigation with the federal government as a result.
- States to watch include California, New York and Colorado, which have passed the most sweeping AI laws.
The bottom line: AI is poised to dominate 2026, from the campaign trail to the courtroom.
