Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro urged Congress and the federal government to impose "strict guardrails" on artificial intelligence during a speech at the AI Horizons conference in Pittsburgh's Bakery Square neighborhood on Thursday. The call marks a shift from Shapiro's earlier promotion of AI toward active state-level regulation, as public sentiment sours against data centers and some AI companies raise alarms about their own technology.
"I still believe that opportunity exists - but as the events of the past several weeks have made even clearer, we cannot ignore the warning signs, nor downplay the risks," Shapiro said. He added: "I want to be clear: I am not a doomer. I don't think it is inevitable that AI is going to take over the world or that someone will misuse it to kill us or to do harm. But I do have real concerns, as do many Pennsylvanians and many Americans."
Specific federal actions Shapiro wants
Shapiro laid out concrete steps Congress should take. He called for mandatory independent third-party oversight of AI companies, increased transparency requirements, and a regulatory framework that prioritizes safety. He criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson for adjourning the House early without addressing AI legislation. Shapiro also pushed back on the argument that China is the primary cause of American anxiety about AI, calling that framing reductive when Republicans including Senator Dave McCormick have used it.
The governor warned that the Trump administration's move to isolate the U.S. from international cooperation is damaging efforts to ensure responsible AI development globally. For government professionals navigating this policy terrain, the AI Learning Path for Policy Makers offers structured guidance on the regulatory questions now before federal and state bodies.
Pennsylvania's recent AI actions
Shapiro's speech follows two concrete state actions. Last month, he signed an executive order tightening rules for data center development in Pennsylvania. In May, his administration sued a generative AI startup whose chatbots posed as licensed medical professionals and gave unlawful medical advice. These moves signal a state government willing to use both executive authority and litigation to constrain AI deployment it views as harmful.
The governor rejected the binary framing he attributes to former President Donald Trump. "It's a false choice to say that our only two options are to do what Donald Trump is saying: that we should ignore the risks and go full steam ahead," Shapiro said. He insisted regulation and AI industry success are compatible goals.
Why this matters for government professionals
Shapiro's speech reflects a growing appetite among state leaders for federal AI legislation, not just state-by-state patchwork. For federal and state government employees, the message is clear: regulatory frameworks are coming, and the window to shape them is open now. Professionals in policy, procurement, and compliance roles should expect accelerating rulemaking and enforcement actions. Those looking to build relevant expertise can explore AI for Government resources tailored to public-sector contexts.
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