Artificial intelligence is transforming industries and economies globally. Its potential to reshape everything from healthcare to the military, manufacturing to finance, has made it one of the most consequential technologies of our time. As AI accelerates, the urgency for robust and timely regulatory oversight is more critical than ever.

The House of Representatives recently passed a sweeping bill imposing a 10-year federal moratorium on state-level AI regulations. While the bill aims to create uniformity, it also strips states of their constitutional right to regulate emerging technologies that will fundamentally shape national and global futures.

While proponents argue that this bill promotes consistency, critics warn that it risks delaying crucial protections for AI-driven risks that are already escalating at an alarming rate. The pressing question is: Why is this bill advancing, and who stands to benefit from delaying protections for technologies that hold profound implications?

One of the most significant vulnerabilities lies in the regulation, or lack thereof, of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, which are increasingly embedded within critical infrastructure, such as power grids and water and healthcare systems. These devices are becoming prime targets for adversaries exploiting AI-driven vulnerabilities. If states are denied the ability to regulate AI, they will be unable to address these growing threats in real time, leaving critical systems exposed.

AI is a global issue. What happens in the United States has a significant effect on the entire interconnected world. Research by PwC indicates that AI adoption could boost global GDP by 15 percentage points by 2035. While China is projected to see the most significant benefit — 26.1 percent increase by 2030 — North America is expected to see a 14.5 percent increase.

AI is poised to reshape the global economy, with nations that fail to develop and regulate their AI systems risking dependency on others for crucial technology. As Arthur Mensch, the CEO of French AI startup Mistral, notes, nations without their own AI infrastructure will become dependent on those that lead the way.

At a time when adversarial cyberattacks on critical infrastructure are intensifying, the passage of this bill threatens to exacerbate vulnerabilities in these essential systems. Research highlights the rise in sophistication and frequency of attacks targeting critical infrastructure, driven in part by the weaknesses in IoT and AI technology. These risks are not hypothetical; nation-state actors are exploiting them to destabilize governments and economies.

The real issue is the growing attack surface as AI integrates into IoT systems. The potential consequences of failing to regulate these technologies are no longer speculative — they are unfolding in real time. In industries where these devices are integral, such as energy, healthcare and transportation, the stakes could not be higher. The regulation of AI is no longer a matter of “if,” but “when.” We must also ensure that regulation is not delayed by federal moratoriums that weaken state-level authority and the ability to respond quickly.

Without the authority to regulate AI-related risks, the United States risks leaving its critical infrastructure exposed to devastating attacks. The rapid pace of AI evolution demands regulatory frameworks that are as dynamic and adaptive as the technology itself. While the federal moratorium on state-level regulation may sound appealing for the sake of uniformity, it could inadvertently expose national and global infrastructure to greater vulnerabilities.

The questions remain: Who benefits from delaying the protections that are so urgently needed, and what price will we pay for their inaction? As the world becomes more AI-driven, it’s essential that regulations protect the United States while safeguarding the integrity of the interconnected global systems that sustain us.