Rep. Obernolte cites China competition to justify moratorium on state AI rules

Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA) argued a mandatory pause on state AI rules and laws is needed to counter China’s growing global tech influence by enabling the federal government to modernize its data systems with millions of dollars in artificial intelligence investments, during debate on the House reconciliation bill in the Energy and Commerce Committee.

“Competition with China is very real. China is bent on establishing dominance in this space,” Obernolte told his committee colleagues prior to a vote defeating...