HARRISBURG, PA — Pennsylvanians can expect continued enforcement against artificial intelligence-related crimes and closer coordination among state agencies following a renewed commitment Friday from Attorney General Dave Sunday and Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration.
What This Means for You
- Increased prosecution of crimes involving A.I.-generated child sexual abuse material and other tech-related offenses.
- Ongoing investigations into A.I. companies and emerging technologies used in Pennsylvania.
- Continued operation of programs like Safe2Say Something to report threats and concerning online behavior.
The Office of Attorney General said it will remain an active partner with the Governor’s Office and other Commonwealth agencies to address risks posed by rapidly evolving technology, particularly artificial intelligence.
The collaboration includes sharing information, maintaining referral channels between agencies and coordinating investigations when jurisdiction overlaps. Under Pennsylvania law, different agencies have distinct responsibilities, but some enforcement areas intersect.
“While we all have our lanes of duty, as specified by statute, those lanes often overlap and intertwine, and my office will continue to embrace an all-hands-on-deck approach to defeating harmful tech,” Sunday said in a statement. “Protecting children and their families from fast-evolving technology is not the duty of any one elected official — rather, it is a mission we all share and zealously pursue every day.”
Enforcement Actions
In recent months, the Attorney General’s Child Predator Section has charged several individuals in cases involving A.I.-generated child sexual abuse material. A 2024 state law made the creation and distribution of such computer-generated depictions a felony offense.
Sunday has also led bipartisan coalitions of attorneys general seeking information from A.I. companies about safeguards for children and the public. His office issued a demand letter to xAI regarding its Grok chatbot’s alleged role in the creation and spread of nonconsensual intimate images and videos.
The office said it is continuing engagement with technology companies to address product safety concerns.
School Reporting and Mental Health
The Attorney General’s Office also coordinates the Safe2Say Something program, a statewide anonymous reporting system that allows students and others to report threats, violence or concerning behavior. During the 2024-25 school year, the program received more than 32,000 tips, including reports tied to online threats and crimes.
In addition, the office launched a teenTALK series focused on the mental health effects of social media use among Pennsylvania students.
Regulatory Authority
Sunday has defended Pennsylvania’s authority to regulate artificial intelligence within the Commonwealth and joined other attorneys general in opposing efforts to impose a moratorium on state-level A.I. regulation.
“These efforts will not waver or relent, and we refuse to stand down or look the other way as long as dangerous products are in the hands and on the screens of devices used by children and other Pennsylvanians,” Sunday said. “Technological advancements can be exciting and beneficial to us all, but we will not accept Pennsylvanians being used as testing samples as new products are rolled out in haste.”
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