The White House has released the National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence, a blueprint that calls for Congress to preempt state AI laws and establish a unified national standard. This comes as California is increasingly trying to dictate policy for the entire nation, particularly in the race against China for advanced technology. The state's rush to regulate and set rules has led to heavy compliance burdens, particularly for small businesses, and lawsuits that exploit vague definitions and open-ended bill language. California has already passed numerous laws on AI content and provenance tracking, and has proposed almost 90 AI-related measures this year. These measures could conflict with national priorities in ensuring a robust market for AI innovation and investment. The costs of California’s efforts to regulate AI are mounting, and it is predicted that if California succeeds, the country will be left with financial consequences.