WASHINGTON — During wide-ranging comments on technology Wednesday, deputy health secretary Jim O’Neill demurred when asked about a controversial proposal to prevent states from enforcing local laws on artificial intelligence.

“I’ll evade, if that’s alright,” said O’Neill. President Trump on Monday indicated in a Truth Social post that he would sign a “one rule executive order” arguing that “there must be only one rulebook if we are going to continue to lead in AI.” Earlier this year, a House bill that would have blocked state AI laws for 10 years gained momentum before it was scuttled. Rather than address the current high-profile policy issue, O’Neill recalled how he publicly opposed previous efforts to pass AI laws in California.

“I think it’s important that we all fight regulation at

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