AI Laws are Changing Fast. Here’s What That Means for Marketing Agencies Like Ours.

What happens when the federal government can’t agree on how to regulate artificial intelligence? The states step in and things get complicated, fast.

Last month, the U.S. Senate officially scrapped a proposed moratorium on AI regulation. That means no single national rulebook guides how businesses like ours can use AI tools in advertising, content, social media and beyond.

Instead? We’re now looking at a growing patchwork of state-level laws, each with its own take on what’s allowed, what’s not and what’s “responsible” use of AI.

This shift is a big deal for marketers and AI users across the board, and it’s happening quickly. 

So, what does this mean for our clients and us at TRIO?

Here’s the short version: if your business touches multiple states (and let’s be honest, most do), you need to think about AI compliance like you would data privacy or accessibility. It’s no longer just about doing what works; it’s about doing what’s right and legal in the places where your audience lives.

Some states are pushing for transparency, meaning businesses must disclose when content is AI-generated. Others are zeroing in on bias, targeting and how AI might unintentionally exclude or mislead certain audiences.

If you’re using AI to write ad copy, generate email campaigns, automate audience targeting or even respond to messages…congrats, you’re now part of the AI regulation conversation.

But here’s the good news: TRIO is on it.

We’ve always believed in the power of technology because we’ve been at this since “going viral” just meant you probably had the flu. But seriously, we believe in responsible technology. That’s why we’ve built an internal AI leadership team to stay ahead of evolving regulations, vet the tools we use, and help our clients adopt AI in a way that’s transparent, ethical and always people first.

We’re not just checking boxes. We’re asking the right questions:

• Is this tool creating content that is on point for our client’s brand?
• Have we fact-checked the results because we know AI hallucinates?
• Should this email say it was written with help from AI?
• Can we clearly explain how this algorithm made a decision?

We think those are questions every marketing agency should be asking. Because when your brand’s reputation is on the line, shortcuts don’t cut it, and the human touch always wins.

So what’s next?

AI and AI laws aren’t slowing down. In fact, they’re just getting started. With states stepping in to fill the federal gap, we’re likely to see a patchwork of regulations that evolve quickly and vary widely. For businesses and marketers, that means staying compliant isn’t just about following one rulebook. It’s about staying informed, flexible and proactive as marketing professionals.

Bottom line…if you are in marketing and ignoring this new technological frontier and putting your head in the sand, you are doing yourself and your clients a disservice. That would be like ignoring the internet back in the 90s, thinking it wouldn’t transform anything. We can all agree that the internet truly transformed the entire world, and we’ve never looked back. (Well, actually, some of us feel privileged to have known life before the World Wide Web.)

At TRIO, we’re keeping our finger on the pulse so you don’t have to. We’ll continue to track emerging legislation, vet the tools we use, and help our clients navigate the fine line between innovation and responsibility. Because in today’s marketing world, it’s not just about being bold; it’s about being smart, strategic and one step ahead of the curve. The irony? That mindset is timeless. It transcends trends, tools and even the evolution of technology itself. Any pro marketer knows that.

Want to use AI in your marketing without losing sleep?

Let’s talk. Whether you’re exploring AI for the first time or wondering if your current tools are up to snuff, we’re here to help you navigate it. The landscape is changing, but you don’t have to go it alone.

We’re proud to be your partners in creative, compliant, human-first marketing.

Need help with ethical AI strategy or compliance-ready content creation? Reach out to our team at TRIO. We’d love to help you stay ahead of the curve.