The third report in a four-part, nonpartisan research series highlights state efforts to advance AI innovation while prioritizing safety and responsibility

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 19, 2025) — The Council of State Governments (CSG) has released the third installment of its nonpartisan 50-State Scan research series, “Great Expectations: How U.S. States are Engaging with the Fast-Moving AI Sector.” This report examines how states are responding to the rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) through legislative, policy and governance solutions.

Expanding on previous analyses of state-level AI policy, this edition of the CSG 50-State Scan explores the integration of AI into daily operations for business, industry and government leaders, prompting lawmakers nationwide to advance legislation that balances innovation with protection. These efforts aim to encourage responsible AI development while safeguarding privacy, cybersecurity and the interests of minors.

“The CSG 50-State Scan gives policymakers a clear, comparative view of how their colleagues across the country are responding to policy challenges,” said David Adkins, executive director/CEO of The Council of State Governments. “It’s one more way CSG helps state officials learn from one another and strengthen governance in every state.”

The report’s release follows the CSG Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies for the States Policy Academy, held Nov. 5-7 in San Francisco. This marked the organization’s first policy academy solely dedicated to convening state policymakers and industry thought leaders for discussions surrounding the use and governance of these transformative technologies.

Since ChatGPT’s emergence in 2022, state policymakers have introduced thousands of bills aimed at regulating and guiding AI’s use across areas like cybersecurity, data sharing, employment, health care, higher education, housing, manufacturing and more. In 2025 alone, states and U.S. territories proposed 252 AI-related measures, supporting its status as a top legislative priority.

To help leaders navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape, CSG developed the State AI Competitiveness Indicators, which rank states on seven core measures of technology infrastructure and human talent supporting AI growth. This benchmarking tool enables policymakers and decision-makers to compare their state to regional peers, identify strengths and gaps, and design strategies to boost their economy.

In addition, the report tracks 2025 legislation introduced promoting AI development and innovation, as well as analyses of the most recent state-level data available on favorable AI political contexts, technological factors and workforce talent supporting AI growth.

Launched earlier this year with reports on government efficiency and accountability, as well as tax policy, the four-part CSG 50-State Scan series delivers nonpartisan, state-by-state analysis of trending top policy priorities and highlights the innovative strategies states are using to strengthen governance.

To access the full CSG 50-State Scan series, click here.