President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday evening that seeks to challenge state laws on artificial intelligence and withhold certain grant funds for states with AI laws the administration dislikes.

The effort could be a significant victory for major technology companies but is almost certain to be challenged in court.

“We must be unified,” Trump said at the signing, lauding the federal government as the single decision-maker on AI.

White House staff secretary Will Scharf described the order as “in keeping” with Trump’s commitment to the economy and “technological and military superiority.”

“This is an executive order that orders aspects of your administration to take decisive action to ensure that AI can operate within a single national framework in this country, as o

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