President Trump issued an order this week seeking to preempt state AI regulations, arguing a patchwork of rules would stifle innovation—an intervention that intersects with how colleges and universities are adopting generative AI in teaching and support services. The order calls for a federal framework to override what the administration deems excessive state laws. At the same time, faculty and instructional designers are piloting generative AI tools—‘coach bots,’ chatbots and classroom assistants—to boost engagement, assessment and personalized feedback. Presenters at higher‑education conferences highlighted early use cases while warning that formal quantitative evidence of learning gains remains limited. Universities now face a two‑front challenge: complying with shifting federal policy while crafting campus policies on privacy, academic integrity and pedagogy. The tussle will affect curriculum design, faculty development and compliance regimes for data and student protections.