Shapiro calls for federal AI guardrails
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Gov. Josh Shapiro at the AI Horizons summit in Pittsburgh's Bakery Square neighborhood. Photo: Ryan Deto/Axios
Gov. Josh Shapiro called on Congress and the federal government to implement "strict guardrails" on AI during a speech in Pittsburgh on Thursday.
Why it matters: Shapiro has gone from promoting AI to enacting state regulations against it, as public opinion has turned against data centers and some AI companies are sounding the alarm on their own tech.
What he's saying: "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," he said during a speech at the AI Horizons conference in Bakery Square.
- "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."
Zoom in: Shapiro said Congress should require AI companies to have independent third-party oversight, increase their transparency and prioritize safety.
- He criticized House Speaker Mike Johnson for failing to address the AI issue and adjourning the House early.
- He said blaming China for souring American AI sentiment, as Republicans including Sen. Dave McCormick have done, is reductive.
- He also said the Trump administration is making a mistake by isolating the U.S. from international cooperation, which is hurting chances of ensuring AI is growing responsibly around the world.
Flashback: Shapiro signed an executive order last month tightening the rules for data center development in Pennsylvania.
- In May, he sued a generative AI startup, saying its chatbots posed as licensed medical professionals and gave unlawful medical advice.
The bottom line: Shapiro said it's possible to regulate AI and have it succeed, and "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."