What the nation's strongest AI regulations change in 2026, according to legal experts

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ZDNET's key takeaways 

• Two major state AI laws are in effect as federal AI regulation remains unclear.
• Trump has renewed attacks on state AI legislation. 
• Researchers are still dissatisfied with current laws. 

We're a few weeks into 2026, and the Trump administration has yet to propose AI legislation at the federal level. 

At the same time, first-of-their-kind AI safety laws in California and New York -- both states well-positioned to influence tech companies -- have gone into effect. But a December executive order and its ensuing task force have renewed attacks on state AI laws. What do the new laws mean in practice, and can they survive scrutiny at the federal level? 

Also: 5 ways rules and regulations can help guide your AI innovation

SB-53 and the RAISE Act

California SB-53, the ...