Privacy Challenges Are Looming Behind AI Regulation, Say FBCA Panelists

Hosted by the Federal Communications Bar Association, the event featured lawmakers and aides from Connecticut, Massachusetts and Colorado

Lila Perl

Jan 16, 2026 — 3 min read

Photo of Democratic state Sen. James Maroney of Connecticut explaining a far-reaching bill attempting to regulate AI, in the state Senate in Hartford on April 24, 2024, by Susan Haigh/AP

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16, 2026 – Privacy challenges are looming behind the rise of artificial intelligence as a policy issue, warned panelists participating in a Federal Communications Bar Association event.

The first panel at the Monday event, “AI and Privacy: Perspectives from Policymakers and Regulators,” focused on how Colorado, Connecticut, and Massachusetts approach AI strategy in light of existing data privacy laws.

AI and privacy

Democratic state officials and aides to Democratic legislators voiced opposition to the Trump administration’s executive order seeking to deny federal funding to states with “onerous” laws restricting AI. “States can be the laboratory of democracy,” Massachusetts Assistant Attorney General Kaitlyn Karpenko said. Karpenko’s views were endorsed by the fellow panelists; no Republican officials were present on the panel.

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AI FBCA Kaitlyn Karpenko Edgar Rivas John Hickenlooper James Maroney Paul Eisler USTelecom Rudy Brioche Tatianna Rice David Valdez FPF CTIA Wireless Foundation Comcast Colorado Massachusetts

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