Josh Shapiro Calls for Federal AI Guardrails in Pittsburgh

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro delivered a speech in Pittsburgh on September 17 calling for muscular federal regulation of artificial intelligence and tougher safeguards to protect the public. Shapiro argued that while the United States can continue to benefit economically from AI, the rapid advancement of the technology requires stronger protections to mitigate risk.

During the address, Shapiro urged the United States to pressure the government of China to establish practical guardrails to reduce risks to the American people. He criticized President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson for failing to respond sufficiently to the threat of rogue AI. Shapiro specifically dismissed the notion that public concerns regarding the technology are a "hoax," a characterization he attributed to the president.

While advocating for regulation, Shapiro stated he does not believe it is inevitable that AI will take over the world or be misused to cause harm. This push for oversight follows an August executive order by Shapiro that removed data centers from a fast-track permitting process within Pennsylvania.