State lawmakers filed nearly 500 AI-related bills in 2024 with Colorado, California, Illinois, and Utah passing notable laws. With state lawmakers emboldened by federal inactivity at the beginning of 2025, the first two months of the year forecasts even more state activity the rest of this year.

Regulatory agencies such as the California Privacy Protection Agency are considering AI-related rulemaking, and NY's governor has directed the state's Department of Labor to amend the WARN ACt regulations regarding layoff disclosures are related to the use of AI. These types of regulations will have significant impact on businesses.

AI and Data Privacy attorneys will review the notable developments from 2025, describe the areas of commonality across the patchwork of state AI laws, and offer a preview of what to expect in 2026.