Spanberger presses Congress for AI guardrails as states forge ahead

(VIRGINIA MERCURY) - Gov. Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday called on Congress to set national rules for artificial intelligence, warning that its rapid development could threaten jobs, privacy and public resources if oversight remains largely in the hands of the companies building it.

In a letter to congressional leaders, the Virginia Democrat urged federal action while pledging to pursue measures within the state’s authority. She sent the letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

“The potential impacts of AI are too great to leave the regulation of this technology solely in the hands of private entities, especially when the CEOs of those same companies are also sounding the alarm on the significant risks presented by uncoordinated regulation,” Spanberger wrote.

Her appeal comes as Washington remains divided over how aggressively the federal government should rein in the technology.

Johnson told NBC’s “Meet the Press” earlier this month that Congress should not rush to regulate AI, warning that poorly considered rules could put the United States at a competitive disadvantage against China. He said the issue called for guardrails but would not commit to bringing the House back before the Nov. 3 election to pass them.

Johnson’s remarks came amid calls to slow AI development, something Spanberger did not ask for in her letter. Instead, she argued that federal oversight and continued technological development need not come at the expense of one another.

You can read the full story at virginiamercury.com.