National AI Framework Emerges, Energy Sector Tracks Impact

White House moves to curb state-level AI rules; energy groups assess potential legal impact

17 Dec 2025

The White House has signaled a new direction for artificial intelligence policy, and industries that rely on data at scale are paying attention. In December 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14365, titled Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence, aiming to bring order to what the administration calls a patchwork of state AI laws.

The order does not create new rules for specific sectors. Instead, it pushes for alignment at the federal level. Agencies are directed to review state AI laws for conflicts with national objectives and to consider ways to limit regulatory friction across state lines.

At the heart of the order is a legal strategy. The Attorney General has been instructed to form an Artificial Intelligence Litigation Task Force to challenge state laws seen as at odds with federal policy. The Department of Justice formalized the task force in an internal memo dated January 9, 2026, signaling that the effort is more than symbolic.

The order also leaves open the possibility that federal funding could be used as leverage if state approaches clash with Washington’s priorities. How far that authority stretches will depend on how it is applied and whether courts uphold it.

The energy sector is watching with particular interest, even though the order does not mention oil and gas. AI tools are already woven into predictive maintenance, drilling optimization, subsurface analysis, production management, emissions tracking, and safety systems. For companies operating across multiple states, a single federal framework could ease compliance headaches tied to diverging local rules.

Still, the practical impact remains uncertain. Much will hinge on litigation, agency rulemaking, and whether Congress steps in with broader standards. For now, the executive order marks a clear message from Washington: when it comes to AI governance, the federal government wants the final word.