The Crisis of Artificial Intelligence Governance in the United States: Regulatory Fragmentation and the Centralization of Power
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Abstract
This study examines the multidimensional factors driving the United States’ shift in artificial intelligence (AI) governance during the critical period of 2023–2025. It focuses on the transition from a safety-oriented regulatory framework to one prioritizing accelerated innovation and proactive technological competition. The research adopts a qualitative methodology, drawing on policy document analysis.
The findings identify three key driving dimensions. First, the structural dimension reflects a response to the legislative vacuum in Congress and the fragmentation of state-level regulations, both of which weaken national coherence. Second, the political economy dimension highlights a transition toward a techno-partner state model, aimed at stabilizing policy frameworks for infrastructure investment while reducing regulatory compliance costs for large technology firms and capital groups. Third, the geopolitical dimension elevates AI to a national security concern, enabling the executive branch to justify the adoption of a techno-realist approach to sustain competitive advantage, particularly in relation to China.
In conclusion, the study argues that the move toward a centralized “One-Rule Paradigm” represents a strategic adaptation by the federal government to reassert its authority as the primary rule-setter. This shift occurs in response to growing institutional fragmentation and intensifying global technological competition, positioning centralized governance as a mechanism to maintain both domestic coherence and international competitiveness.
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