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Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers joins Legal Regards to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping legal enforcement, regulatory strategy, and the evolving role of state attorneys general. The conversation centers on AI-related harms, responsible government use of AI tools, and the growing debate over whether AI regulation should be led by states, the federal government, or both.

Hilgers explains why he views AI as one of the most transformative technologies in modern history and outlines how his office is approaching AI adoption cautiously but deliberately. He discusses current exploratory uses of AI for internal productivity and analysis, the importance of protecting confidential investigative data, and why attorney general offices must move carefully before deploying AI in litigation workflows. He also addresses the ethical and professional risks associated with hallucinated citations and unreliable outputs, emphasizing that human oversight remains essential, particularly for court filings.

The discussion examines concrete AI-related harms and enforcement challenges. Hilgers describes Nebraska’s legislation addressing AI-generated child sexual abuse material, including the effort to close loopholes that could allow offenders to evade prosecution. He explains the constitutional reasoning supporting the law and situates AI enforcement within traditional state powers such as consumer protection and deceptive trade practices authority. He also outlines Nebraska’s current “wait and see” approach to broader AI-specific legislation while continuing to monitor technological developments and enforcement needs.

A central theme is federalism and preemption. Hilgers rejects a binary choice between federal and state regulation, arguing that states should retain authority over traditional enforcement areas like consumer protection and criminal law, while core model-level or system-wide regulatory frameworks may require national standards to avoid a fragmented patchwork that could hinder innovation and competitiveness. He also highlights the courts as a critical but often overlooked institution that can apply existing doctrines to AI disputes before sweeping new statutory schemes are enacted.

The conversation additionally covers the broader work of a state attorney general’s office and how AI fits within that landscape. Hilgers discusses multistate litigation, lawsuits involving large corporations such as TikTok and data breach cases, interstate disputes, constitutional challenges, and the expanding national influence of state AG offices. He also reflects on federal-state collaboration, marijuana policy debates, his path from private practice and legislative leadership to statewide office, and practical career advice for young lawyers and law students.

Topics include:

• AI as a transformative technology and emerging enforcement priority
• Government use of AI tools, safeguards, and professional responsibility risks
• AI-generated CSAM laws and constitutional enforcement considerations
• Consumer protection authority and traditional legal tools for AI harms
• Federal preemption, patchwork regulation risks, and national standards
• The role of courts and existing law in shaping AI governance
• Lawsuits against major corporations and multistate enforcement actions
• The modern responsibilities of a state attorney general
• Marijuana policy debates and federal rescheduling discussions
• Career guidance for young lawyers and public service pathways

A substantive discussion for lawyers, policymakers, and professionals interested in how state attorneys general are confronting AI-driven risks while managing the broader legal and constitutional responsibilities of their offices.

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Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway joins Legal Regards to discuss the evolving responsibilities of a state attorney general at a time of technological change, institutional scrutiny, and heightened public safety concerns. The conversation examines how state legal offices balance traditional enforcement priorities with emerging risks tied to artificial intelligence, digital fraud, and rapidly developing regulatory gaps.

Hanaway explains her office’s focus on reducing violent crime, protecting consumers from fraudulent Bitcoin ATM schemes, and enforcing state laws ranging from public integrity actions to online age-verification requirements. She also discusses the continuing effort to enforce Missouri’s multibillion-dollar COVID-related judgment against China and reflects on how continuity in government litigation is maintained despite leadership turnover.

The discussion explores the growing role of AI in legal practice, including how government lawyers are using AI tools to draft documents, accelerate research, and improve efficiency while maintaining strict human oversight and verification. Hanaway also offers her perspective on the proper balance between federal and state authority in regulating AI, noting both the traditional importance of state experimentation and the potential need for national standards in a globally competitive technological environment.

Listeners will also hear Hanaway reflect on leadership in public service, recruiting the next generation of trial lawyers, and navigating a career that has spanned federal prosecution, legislative leadership, BigLaw management, and statewide office.

Topics include:

• Violent crime reduction as a statewide enforcement priority
• Consumer protection and fraud risks involving Bitcoin ATMs
• Enforcement of Missouri’s COVID-related judgment against China
• Public integrity actions and removing corrupt officials
• Practical uses of AI in government legal work
• Verification, ethics, and safeguards when lawyers use AI tools
• Federal versus state authority in regulating artificial intelligence
• Recruiting and training trial-ready government lawyers

A substantive discussion for lawyers, policymakers, and professionals seeking insight into how state attorneys general are adapting legal institutions to meet modern technological and enforcement challenges.

Legal Regards is an official podcast of The National Law Review.

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Connecticut Attorney General William Tong joins Legal Regards to examine the expanding role of state attorneys general at a time of rapid legal, technological, and political transformation. The conversation explores how states are increasingly stepping into regulatory voids, deploying consumer protection laws against emerging technologies, and confronting constitutional questions when federal action stalls.

Tong discusses enforcement priorities related to artificial intelligence, the limits of presidential power, bipartisan cooperation among attorneys general, and the institutional responsibilities of chief state legal officers. The discussion also addresses public transparency, including continued calls for the release of the Epstein files, and the broader challenge of maintaining public trust in an era of institutional strain.

Listeners will also hear Tong reflect on his path to public service, the meaning of state sovereignty, and the enduring role of human judgment within a legal system increasingly shaped by advanced technology.

Topics include:

• The expanding authority of state attorneys general
• AI regulation and consumer protection enforcement
• Federalism and executive power
• Transparency and the public’s right to know
• Bipartisan leadership in a polarized environment
• Social media harms and technological accountability
• The limits of artificial intelligence in the pursuit of truth

A substantive discussion for lawyers, policymakers, executives, and professionals seeking to understand who is shaping the legal architecture of the modern state.

Legal Regards is an official podcast of The National Law Review.