---
title: "OpenAI Proposes 'Reverse Federalism' for AI Governance: State Laws First, National Framework Next"
source: "OpenAI：News（RSS）"
source_tier: "t1"
url: "https://openai.com/index/advancing-ai-safety-through-state-and-federal-action"
permalink: "https://feed.astralor.com/items/itm_1e97faa490facd0c80775009"
published: "2026-07-15T12:00:00.000Z"
score: 77
channel: "tech"
tags: ["AI Safety Governance","OpenAI","Reverse Federalism","U.S. Regulatory Policy"]
---

# OpenAI Proposes 'Reverse Federalism' for AI Governance: State Laws First, National Framework Next

## AI commentary

> The most noteworthy aspect of this policy paper is its 'bottom-up' governance logic, contrasting sharply with top-down models like the EU and China. For overseas tech companies and policy researchers, it is a key window into the direction of U.S. AI regulation.

## At a glance

OpenAI released a policy position advocating for 'reverse federalism' in U.S. AI safety governance: encouraging states to legislate first, experiment, and then build a unified national framework. This approach emphasizes democratic participation, flexible trial-and-error, and federal coordination to avoid premature rigid national regulations that could stifle innovation. OpenAI also committed to cooperating with state and federal regulators to advance auditable, explainable AI safety standards.

## Key points

- 'Reverse federalism' advocates state-level legislation first to generate diverse safety practices, then distilled into federal standards.
- Emphasizes balancing national security and innovation to avoid one-size-fits-all regulations hindering AI progress.
- OpenAI commits to working with state and federal agencies to promote auditable, explainable AI safety standards.

## Full text

OpenAI outlines a “reverse federalism” approach to AI governance, where state laws help build a national framework for safe, democratic AI.

---

Verify against the original before citing; curated by Astral Feed: https://feed.astralor.com/items/itm_1e97faa490facd0c80775009