US state AI legislation in 2025: A discussion with Connecticut State Sen. James Maroney

Though it came close in recent years, federal privacy legislation is not likely top of mind as a new administration takes the reigns in Washington, DC. The same likely goes for federal AI governance and safety legislation with a divided Congress and executive branch that promotes a deregulatory posture. That means state-level privacy and AI bills will proliferate in 2025. Connecticut was the 5th U.S. state to a pass comprehensive privacy law, and Connecticut State Senator James Maroney played a large role in crafting his state's bill. Maroney is now working on AI legislation and takes part in the Future of Privacy Forum's Multistate AI Policymaker Working Group, which comprises more than 200 bipartisan state lawmakers and other government officials, with the aim to "foster a shared understanding of emerging technologies and related policy issues." IAPP Editorial Director Jedidiah Bracy recently caught up with Maroney to discuss his work on privacy, his experience working with other policymakers in the multistate working group, and what to expect from AI legislation in Connecticut this coming year.