HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvania lawmakers will examine proposed safety requirements for advanced artificial intelligence systems at an October 19 public hearing, advancing a state-level regulatory debate over how developers should identify and manage risks associated with increasingly capable AI models.
The House Communications & Technology Committee will consider issues surrounding frontier AI models, including safeguards proposed in House Bills 2800 and 2829.
State Reps. Melissa Shusterman, D-Chester; Manuel Guzman, D-Berks; and Gregg Scott, D-Montgomery, introduced the legislation and are expected to participate in the hearing.
The session is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday, October 19, in Room 205 of the Ryan Office Building at the Pennsylvania Capitol Complex in Harrisburg.
Frontier AI models are among the most advanced artificial intelligence systems, raising questions about whether existing oversight mechanisms are sufficient to address potential risks as their capabilities expand.
The hearing will feature testimony from AI researchers and safety experts concerning emerging risks and proposed regulatory safeguards.
The legislation reflects growing interest among state lawmakers in establishing AI oversight requirements as federal policymakers continue debating national standards.
Shusterman said government intervention is necessary to address potentially serious consequences associated with increasingly autonomous AI systems.
“Government must ensure frontier models are not causing catastrophic harm to society,” Shusterman said. “Every other industry has governmental safeguards for good reasons – AI requires the same level, or more.”
Guzman emphasized the need for standards requiring developers to evaluate risks before deploying advanced systems.
“We need clear safety standards, robust accountability frameworks, and greater transparency to ensure developers identify, assess, and address potential risks before deploying their systems,” Guzman said.
Scott said the scale of AI’s potential economic and societal influence makes regulatory oversight increasingly important.
“We need to ensure that as these developments unfold, we’re providing the oversight necessary to make sure that reshaping is positive, that we understand the risks, and that there’s a framework in place to advance safely,” Scott said.
The lawmakers cited a national Quinnipiac poll finding that 86% of respondents supported independent safety standards for AI companies, while 73% expressed concern about AI’s potential threat to human survival.
The October 19 proceeding is a public hearing, not a scheduled final vote on either bill. It will provide lawmakers an opportunity to examine testimony and evaluate the proposed safety measures before further legislative consideration.
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