Microsoft Scientist Warns US AI Regulation Ban Could Hinder Progress

President Donald Trump's proposal to impose a 10-year ban on state-level regulation of artificial intelligence has sparked significant debate within the U.S. tech community and government. Microsoft’s chief scientist, Dr. Eric Horvitz, publicly criticized the plan, arguing that such bans on regulation would hinder safe and effective AI development, raising concerns over misinformation, data privacy, and biosecurity risks. Despite Horvitz's warnings, Microsoft is reportedly part of a broader Silicon Valley lobbying effort—including Google, Meta, and Amazon—to support the moratorium, highlighting a tension between public advocacy for safeguards and private lobbying for deregulation. Supporters of the ban, including influential tech investors and Vice President JD Vance, contend that uniform national rules are necessary to compete with China and avoid regulatory fragmentation that could slow innovation. Critics, including UC Berkeley professor Stuart Russell and bipartisan lawmakers, worry the measure undermines local democratic processes, reduces accountability, and increases risks associated with unregulated AI. This controversy underscores the broader challenge of balancing rapid AI progress with the need for oversight to ensure safety and trustworthiness.