The US push to deregulate AI including the Trump administration’s July 23 AI Action Plan advocating for reduced federal oversight heightens the importance of whistleblower protections amid diminishing external regulation. Without enforceable legal safeguards, employees raising AI safety concerns risk retaliation, leaving key dangers unreported. Voluntary corporate promises fall short unless backed by law.
Progressive states like California, Illinois, and New York are advancing legislation mandating AI developers implement anonymous reporting systems, prohibit retaliation and nondisclosure penalties, and require clear notification of rights. These state-level protections offer a model for national frameworks to empower insiders and improve AI accountability.
