Professor Mary Graw Leary of Catholic Law authored an op-ed for the National Catholic Reporter on August 7, titled "A ban on artificial intelligence regulations? Yes, that nearly happened." In the piece, she highlights a little-noticed but critical moment during the debate over a major Republican budget bill, where a provision nearly passed that would have banned states from regulating artificial intelligence. This "AI moratorium" would have dismantled existing state laws and prevented new ones, leaving AI unchecked despite its vast potential for harm, particularly to children.

Leary draws parallels to Big Tech's past influence, notably its distortion of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which granted tech companies near-total immunity from liability. This lack of regulation has led to widespread harm, including the proliferation of AI-generated child exploitation material, sextortion, and algorithms promoting self-harm. Despite Big Tech's lobbying, the Senate ultimately struck down the AI moratorium by a 99-1 vote, recognizing the dangers of repeating past mistakes.

Leary underscores the bipartisan support for AI regulation, with 75% of voters, 40 state attorneys general, and 17 Republican governors favoring safeguards. She also highlights the moral urgency articulated by Catholic leaders, including Pope Francis and his successor, Pope Leo XIV. In his inaugural address, Pope Leo XIV warned of AI's immense potential and the need for responsibility and discernment to ensure its ethical use. Pope Francis, prior to his passing, echoed these concerns in Antiqua et nova, emphasizing the specific challenges AI poses to children and calling for "careful regulation" rather than a moratorium. The U.S. bishops' conference reinforced this stance in a June 9 letter to Congress, advocating for AI policies informed by ethical principles.

However, Leary warns that the fight is far from over, as Big Tech continues to wield significant influence in Congress, prioritizing profits over safety.

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