🚨 Ignore the “boring stuff” at your peril 🚨

Hi everyone. I’m new to this community but not new to technology or the policy world.

As we head into the first week of 2026, I strongly encourage you to educate yourselves on the new AI laws and regulations coming online. They will affect all of us.

I know policy is not exactly thrilling. I’m retiring soon after a 33 year federal government career, and even I still catch myself dozing off while reading regulations. But this year is different. Paying attention to compliance is no longer optional. It’s required.

Some AI policies are already in force, and others that are extremely disruptive for AI businesses are rolling out later this year across multiple global markets. Countries worldwide are implementing enforceable AI laws right now.

If you are building with AI and you do not know what rules apply to your country, state, or local jurisdiction, this is where you need to start paying close attention.

2026 is the year independent developers and companies can be held financially liable, or blocked from selling products, if those products are not built within regulatory guidelines. “Shipping messy” is no longer a safe strategy.

I am already facing major regulatory constraints this spring in my US state that will affect every AI product I build or deploy. You should assume the same is coming to you in some form.

Please check your local and global regulations. The fines are real. The enforcement is real.

If I were your professor, this is where I would be stomping my foot and telling you to look up your laws right now.

If this feels overwhelming, it is. We are at the bleeding edge of a new industry, and regulation is finally catching up. Understanding the policy landscape is now part of our job as builders and business owners.

✨ Professor Elliott is leaving the building ✨

3 comments