Governance · Policy · Dockets

The AI Public Pulse — Monday, May 18, 2026

an AI Public Interest broadcast · daily
Shaping AI to serve the future. Keeping the public pulse.
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// Open for public comment
national UK comment open rfi consultation

Growing up in the online world: a national consultation

We are consulting on further measures to prepare children for the future in an age of rapid technological change. This includes potential age restrictions on social media and other services such as gaming sites and AI chatbots, restrictions on addictive design features and risky functionalities, and better support for parents and families.

Comment close 2026-05-26 (8 days)
us federal agency US comment open other

AI-Enabled Optimization of Early-Phase Clinical Trials Pilot Program; Request for Information

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA or the Agency) is issuing this request for information to solicit input on a proposed pilot program to assess how artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled technologies can improve efficiency, speed, and quality of decision- making in early phase clinical trials. Early-phase clinical trials represent a critical bottleneck in drug development, often characterized by high uncertainty, limited patient populations, and inefficient decision- making processes. This pilot program aims to explore how advances in AI and data science can improve trial efficiency, enhance safety monitoring, facilitate dose selection decisions, and enable more informed early go/no-go decisions (e.g., a regulatory decision as to whether a Phase 1 study may proceed) while maintaining FDA's rigorous scientific and regulatory standards and promoting trustworthy AI systems. The pilot program will be guided by principles aligned with the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) AI Risk Management Framework (AI RMF).

Comment close 2026-05-29 (11 days)
// Recently decided / in motion
us state US-NJ pre decision legislation

Provides disparate impact based on automated decision system as cause of action for certain consumers.

New Jersey Senate Bill 4279, introduced May 14, 2026, would establish disparate impact liability for automated decision systems used in housing and lending. The bill would allow individuals to sue in state court if AI systems produce discriminatory outcomes against protected classes, while requiring covered entities to conduct algorithmic impact assessments every two years. The legislation remains in pre-decision status in the New Jersey legislature.

us state US-RI pre decision legislation

Creates additional safety features for AI companion technology that include addressing suicidal ideation, potential physical harm or financial harm to others expressed by a user. It also requires notification the AI companion does not have human emotions.

Rhode Island is considering legislation that would require additional safety features for AI companion technology, including protocols for addressing user expressions of suicidal ideation or potential harm to others. The bill would also mandate disclosure that AI companions do not have human emotions.

us state US-NJ pre decision legislation

"AI Image Disclosure Act"; concerns disclosure of certain AI-generated content.

New Jersey has introduced the "AI Image Disclosure Act" requiring AI content generators to include visible and hidden disclosures in synthetic images, video, and audio. The bill would require both manifest disclosures identifying content as AI-generated and latent technical disclosures with provider and system information. Social media platforms would need to label detected AI content and preserve provenance data.

us state US-HI pre decision legislation

Relating To Artificial Intelligence.

Hawaii Senate Bill 2967 would establish consumer protection requirements for artificial intelligence systems, including disclosure mandates when AI interacts with consumers and additional rights for high-stakes automated decisions. The bill, introduced in February 2026, would require companies using AI for consequential decisions in areas like housing, credit, and employment to provide explanations and allow human review. The legislation is currently in the pre-decision stage in Hawaii's legislature.

us state US-CA pre decision legislation

California AI Transparency Act.

California has enacted the AI Transparency Act (AB 853), which requires AI system providers with over 1 million monthly users to provide free AI detection tools and embed provenance data in generated content. The law extends transparency requirements to large online platforms (starting January 2027) and capture device manufacturers (starting January 2028), with the overall framework taking effect August 2, 2026.

us state US-NY pre decision legislation

Requires policing agencies to conduct an inventory of, and develop a publicly-available policy for, any artificial intelligence used to aid criminal investigations.

New York Assembly Bill A.9253 would require law enforcement agencies to annually inventory and publicly disclose AI systems used in criminal investigations. The legislation mandates transparency requirements including disclosure of AI use in police reports and creation of public policies governing AI deployment by police agencies.