The article discusses the evolving landscape of AI regulation and standards, highlighting the increasing number of regional, state, and local AI laws in the U.S. and globally. It emphasizes the importance of companies being aware of both mandatory regulations and voluntary standards like ISO 42001 and NIST AI RMF, which provide best practices for responsible AI development. The article outlines the debate over whether AI regulation should focus on developers or deployers, noting that some laws, like the Colorado AI Act, regulate both. It also predicts that U.S. federal guardrails on AI may weaken, but state and local regulations will continue to grow, with AI-specific requirements being added to existing industry regulations.
The article further predicts that market standards will become increasingly important as companies seek to build trust and demonstrate the safety and reliability of their AI technologies. It suggests that organizations adopting these standards early will have a competitive advantage as the regulatory landscape becomes more complex. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for companies to invest in AI governance to navigate the emerging regulatory environment effectively.
Key takeaways:
AI laws and standards are evolving, with a focus on risk-based governance, especially in high-risk domains like healthcare and HR.
AI regulation can target developers, deployers, or both, with different approaches seen in the EU AI Act and Colorado AI Act.
State and local governments in the U.S. are likely to continue AI regulation efforts, even if federal guardrails weaken.
Market standards like NIST AI RMF and ISO 42001 are important for building trust and demonstrating responsible AI practices.
