New Report Supported by Rising Tide Benchmarks Global Freedom of Expression in the Age of AI 

January 23, 2026

We are delighted to announce that The Future of Free Speech, a think tank at Vanderbilt University and grantee of the Rising Tide Foundation, has released a critical new study, “That Violates My Policies: AI Laws, Chatbots, and The Future of Expression.” The report is a key output of ongoing research supported by the Rising Tide Foundation, which aims to provide a rigorous analysis of how emerging AI governance frameworks—both legislative and corporate—are impacting global freedom of expression and access to information.

The report investigates the complex intersection of national legislation and corporate policies across six major jurisdictions and eight leading AI providers. It challenges the assumption that AI restrictions are merely technical necessities, revealing instead how vague regulations and corporate design choices often stifle open inquiry. Drawing on extensive data, including the testing of over 1,500 prompts on controversial topics, the study demonstrates a stark global divergence in free speech protections. While some models show promise in engaging with diverse viewpoints, the findings highlight how “systemic risk” provisions and broad hate speech rules in jurisdictions like the EU can impose a chilling effect on free expression.

The report presents the results of the project, supported by Rising Tide, which sought to showcase that safeguarding democratic discourse requires more than just risk aversion; it requires a commitment to liberty. By documenting how AI models are often more reluctant to generate “actionable” content than abstract arguments, the study promotes a shift in policy that puts individual freedom and user empowerment at the heart of technological development.

To find out more about the report and view the global rankings, please visit this link.