The Reason Roundtable Should Libertarians Support Federal AI Regulation?
44 snips
Dec 16, 2025 Liz Wolfe, associate editor at Reason Magazine, joins the discussion, diving into President Trump's executive order on AI regulations. The panel evaluates the implications of a national AI framework versus state regulations. They also explore the potential reclassification of marijuana to Schedule III, discussing its impact on the cannabis industry. The conversation shifts to mass shootings, with an analysis of recent events in Australia and the U.S., and touches on the U.S. seizure of a Venezuelan oil tanker amidst broader regime change debates.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Federal AI Order Versus Patchwork Chaos
- Trump’s executive order blocking state AI laws aims to avoid a confusing patchwork and favor a single federal standard.
- Katherine Mangu-Ward warns executive orders risk legal problems and politicize technical policy that should be legislated.
Pass Laws, Not Executive Orders
- If policymakers want durable AI rules, pass federal legislation rather than rely on executive orders.
- Matt Welch urges Congress to enact laws to avoid anti-federalist funding threats and legal overreach.
AI Is An Economic Bargaining Chip
- AI's economic surge is propping up U.S. growth and political coalitions are fracturing over tech policy.
- Matt Welch and Liz Wolfe note Trump's moves try to placate multiple constituencies but risk alienating chip and China hawks.
