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In this episode, we sit down with Adam Thierer, Resident Senior Fellow at the R Street Institute, to unpack his recent analysis—AI Policy in Congress Mid‑2025: Where Are We Headed Next? We explore shifting congressional priorities, from the AI–China strategic race to the rising friction with state-level AI regulations. Adam also shares how policymakers are evolving from a fear-driven stance to one increasingly open to AI’s broader benefits. Dive in for thoughtful insight on the road ahead in federal AI governance.
Biography
Adam Thierer is a Resident Senior Fellow on the Technology & Innovation team at the R Street Institute, dedicated to advancing "permissionless innovation" for a safer, more entrepreneurial world. Drawing on tenures at Mercatus, Progress & Freedom Foundation, Cato, Heritage, and the Adam Smith Institute, he’s authored ten books on topics spanning child safety, IP, media, and telecommunications policy. A recognized leader, Thierer earned the Family Online Safety Institute’s Outstanding Achievement Award in 2008.
Adam's Previous Appearances
SHOW NOTES
Segment one
“Permissionless Innovation,” by @AdamThierer, champions the idea that we should allow new tech and business models by default—not block them with red tape. It argues that over-regulating early (the “precautionary principle”) stifles growth, whereas keeping innovation free sparks prosperity. https://www.mercatus.org/research/books/permissionless-innovation-continuing-case-comprehensive-technological-freedom #TechPolicy #Innovation
We touched on the most recent antitrust ruling for Google on the show today. A federal judge has ruled that while Google did unlawfully monopolize search, it won’t be forced to sell off Chrome. Instead, Google must end exclusive search deals and share search index & user-interaction data with rivals. https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/google-keeps-chrome-apple-deal-must-share-data-big-antitrust-ruling-2025-09-02/?utm_source=chatgpt.com #Antitrust
“The Cruz AI Policy Framework & SANDBOX Act: Pro-Innovation Policies to Ensure American AI Leadership” by Adam Thierer https://www.rstreet.org/commentary/the-cruz-ai-policy-framework-sandbox-act-pro-innovation-policies-to-ensure-american-ai-leadership/
Mentioned by Adam on the show today: Based on reports covering the 2025 legislative sessions, over 1,080 AI-related bills were introduced across all 50 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Washington, D.C.
Segment two
“No Single State Should Dictate National AI Policy” https://www.rstreet.org/commentary/no-single-state-should-dictate-national-ai-policy/
“Without federal standards, the most restrictive state will be the one that rules.” — @adamthierer, warning that without federal standards, California’s AI rules could determine the direction of the entire nation’s policy landscape. More here: https://www.rstreet.org/commentary/no-single-state-should-dictate-national-ai-policy/
This is a quote from Adam in the linked article: “America’s AI innovators risk getting squeezed between the so-called Brussels Effect of overzealous European regulation and the so-called Sacramento Effect of excessive state and local mandates.” https://www.rstreet.org/commentary/european-union-ai-regulation-is-both-model-and-warning-for-u-s-lawmakers-experts-say/
Adam wrote a great article called “AI Policy in Congress Mid-2025: Where Are We Headed Next?”. Here’s a pull quote: “To succeed in the current moment, AI policy must be incremental and fit for purpose. Congress can use an approach built on best practices, transparency, and targeted liability to strike a sensible balance between innovation and safety.” https://www.rstreet.org/commentary/ai-policy-in-congress-mid-2025-where-are-we-headed-next/
Segment three
“The Chinese Communist Party have said that they want to control the global AI marketplace by 2030.” —Adam Thierer
“US must boost AI funding to vie with China, not rely just on export controls, House hears” by Adam Thierer https://www.rstreet.org/commentary/us-must-boost-ai-funding-to-vie-with-china-not-rely-just-on-export-controls-house-hears
1/2 Adam Thierer has joined us on the show two other times. Episode #294: Evasive Entrepreneurs with Adam Thierer https://www.thesoulofenterprise.com/tsoe/interview-adam-thierer
2/2 Episode #510: AI Policy and Innovation — Second interview with Adam Thierer https://www.thesoulofenterprise.com/tsoe/adam-thierer-ai-policy-innovation
Segment four
“To secure our future, we must harness the full power of American innovation by empowering entrepreneurs, unleashing private-sector creativity, and reinvigorating our research institutions.” https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/presidents-council-of-advisors-on-science-and-technology/
Adam referenced the pacing problem on the show today. He also shares insights on the pacing problem at this link https://www.rstreet.org/commentary/navigating-ai-policy-balancing-innovation-and-regulation-with-adam-thierer/
A big THANK YOU to Adam Thierer for joining us today. Check out more of his work at R Street Institute https://www.rstreet.org/people/adam-thierer/
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