CNBC reporting that OpenAI is actively lobbying the Trump administration to ease regulations on artificial intelligence to promote faster advancements in the field. Following President Trump’s revocation of the nation’s first AI executive order, OpenAI submitted a proposal emphasizing the need for a light regulatory touch and faster approval processes for new technologies. The company argues that its recommendations could enable access to new AI services by government agencies about a year earlier than current timelines. Amidst ongoing legal battles and public scrutiny, OpenAI also expressed concerns about competing Chinese AI startups, highlighting that DeepSeek has gained popularity in the U.S. market, indicating that while the United States currently leads in AI, this advantage may be diminishing.
Meanwhile, the Markup highlights how California lawmakers are pushing forward with thirty new bills aimed at regulating artificial intelligence, following a series of vetoes from Governor Gavin Newsom last year. Assembly Bill 1018, proposed by Democratic Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, seeks to protect individuals from automated discrimination and mandates that AI developers evaluate their technologies before deployment. This legislative effort comes amid a changing political climate, with increased public concern about AI’s impact, as highlighted by a recent Carnegie California poll, where fifty percent of respondents expressed worry about artificial intelligence. In contrast, the Trump administration has opposed such regulations, emphasizing innovation over oversight.
A U.K. competition authority investigation has found that the mobile browser duopoly of Apple and Google is stifling innovation and potentially hindering economic growth. The 611-page report highlights that Apple’s policies, such as requiring the use of its WebKit browser engine on iOS, limit competition and feature development for rival browsers. The inquiry also raised concerns about revenue-sharing agreements between Apple and Google, which reduce the financial incentive to compete. Despite these findings, no enforcement actions are currently planned, as the report suggests waiting for the activation of special abuse control powers. Potential remedies include requiring Apple to allow alternative browser engines and regulating how Google displays browser choice options. This investigation follows ongoing concerns about the tech giants’ influence on mobile markets, with anticipated conclusions from the Digital Markets Unit expected later this year.
Why do we care?
With states like California pushing stricter oversight while the federal government leans toward deregulation, businesses operating across multiple jurisdictions may face compliance headaches. With so much technology coming out of California, regulation there may become the de-facto standard. Be skeptical of OpenAI’s motivation – a lower cost model threatens their position as models become commoditized.
And let’s note how Apple and Google’s revenue-sharing agreements reduce incentives for true competition in mobile browsers. That technology distinctly appears to be stagnating.
