According to Kit Knightly, a writer for OffGuardian, potential regulations could gradually raise the barrier to using AI services (e.g., requiring payment, real-name verification, content censorship). This might promote "proof of personhood" mechanisms that link digital identity to online activities and affect internet usage costs due to data center energy consumption. This could also increase compliance hurdles and infrastructure costs for open-source AI, strengthen the advantages of large tech companies, and expose small and medium-sized enterprises to policy uncertainty.