Pa. AG Dave Sunday added his voice to a group opposing federal plans to preempt state laws regulating artificial intelligence.

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday has joined 36 other attorneys general to voice opposition to federal attempts to block states from regulating artificial intelligence. 

Earlier this year, the Senate voted overwhelmingly to strike a provision from the ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ that would have placed a ban on states doing anything to regulate AI for the next 10 years.

Sunday signed on to a letter sent to Congress on Tuesday urging against any plans to pass legislation that would preempt states from passing regulations. According to Sunday’s office, he joined a similar coalition earlier this year. 

“I am again joining many colleagues in urging Congress to allow states to continue on with the great progress we are making to protect children, families, and communities from the dangers of artificial intelligence,” Sunday said. 

The letter, which was addressed to congressional leaders, said that it is important that states retain the ability to regulate the ever-changing world of AI.

“It is imperative that states be able to address these kinds of challenges,” officials wrote in the letter. “Indeed, many have started to do so. States have already pioneered multiple laws that target specific harms associated with the use of AI.”

In a statement, Sunday said that Pennsylvania continues to charge offenders who use AI to exploit and abuse children — something that is only possible because of state regulation. “Our legislative leaders continue to work on additional bills that will strengthen protections from dangerous uses of technology,” Sunday said.

Sunday’s office cited two pieces of state legislation that provide law enforcement with tools to enforce regulation against malicious AI use, including House Bill 1925 and Senate Bill 1050, which closed mandatory reporting loopholes. 

Act 125, passed late last year, has resulted in at least six individuals being charged for use of artificial intelligence to create child sexual abuse material. Sunday also recognized the work of the Bureau of Consumer Protection on protecting older residents from scams involving artificial intelligence.Â