Artificial Intelligence legislative efforts increase across the US

At a glance

• A bipartisan group of US lawmakers released a discussion draft of the Great American AI Act on 4 June 2026.
• In California, legislators introduced several AI-related bills that would impose new obligations and restrictions on employers’ use of artificial intelligence, automated decision-making systems and facial recognition technology.
• Proposed California measures would require advance notice of AI-related workforce displacement, prohibit sole reliance on automated systems for certain employment decisions, and restrict the use of facial recognition technology in employment contexts.
• California’s Governor issued an Executive Order on 21 May 2026 directing state agencies to prepare for AI-driven economic and labour market disruption.
• Colorado enacted SB 26-189 on 14 May 2026, replacing the broader Colorado AI Act with a narrower framework focused on automated decision-making technologies used in consequential decisions.

At the federal level, a bipartisan group of legislators released a discussion draft of AI legislation on June 4, 2026, titled the 'Great American AI Act'. It covers (1) frontier AI government; (2) the workforce; (3) cybersecurity; and (4) research, development, and international cooperation. The bill has not yet formally been introduced in Congress.

In California, several new AI and technology laws have been introduced in February 2026. On February 2, 2026, the legislators introduced the Worker Technological Displacement Act (SB 951) and the Automated Decision Systems Act (SB 947). On February 12, 2026, the Facial Recognition Technology Act (AB 1883) was introduced. Key requirements under each would include:

• Worker Technological Displacement Act (SB 951): This act would require employers to provide 60 days' notice before displacing 50 or more workers during any 30-day period, with a specific notice requirement when displacement is caused in whole by AI.
• Automated Decision Systems Act (SB 947): This would prohibit employers from relying solely on an automated decision system for disciplinary, termination, or deactivation decisions.
• Facial Recognition Technology Act (AB 1883): The act would prohibit employers from using facial recognition technology to make inferences about a worker for employment decisions.

Relatedly, on May 21, 2026, California’s Governor issued an Executive Order directing state agencies to prepare for AI‑driven market disruption.

Finally, on May 14, 2026, Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed into law SB 26-189, overriding the 2024 Colorado Artificial Intelligence Act (Colorado AI Act). Unlike the Colorado AI Act, which regulated all 'high risk' AI systems, SB 26-189 only applies to automated decision-making technologies that are used to make 'consequential decisions' and eliminates an affirmative duty to prevent algorithmic discrimination that was established in the Colorado AI Act.