WATCH: Pennsylvania Families Impacted by Predatory AI Speak Out | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg, PA - As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance, more and more Pennsylvanians are embracing the new technology, engaging with companion bots, and utilizing generative AI. To ensure they have the tools needed to safely and responsibly use AI, the Shapiro Administration has taken steps to strengthen protections from the potential harm that predatory AI practices pose.

In a video, two families from Radnor High School shared how their daughters were victimized by predatory AI and highlighted the necessity of the Commonwealth's newly announced safety initiatives:

Governor Josh Shapiro has positioned Pennsylvania as a leader in responsible AI adoption and is leading the way on AI safety. In the last month, the Governor has convened two roundtable discussions with legislators, students, educators, and local leaders. At his first roundtable in Carnegie, PA, the Governor announced three new initiatives:

• Launching an AI Literacy Toolkit, a comprehensive, multi-agency resource developed in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Departments of Education, Health, Human Services, State, Aging, and Banking and Securities to help Pennsylvanians safely and responsibly use artificial intelligence tools. The toolkit expands existing digital literacy resources into a holistic guide addressing AI's benefits, risks, and real-world impacts across four key populations: children; seniors; Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities; and individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. Since its launch, it has been accessed nearly 2,000 times.
  
  
• Creating an AI Enforcement Task Force at the Department of State and establishing a formal complaint and reporting process for AI-powered bots that may be engaging in unlicensed professional practice. Pennsylvanians can now submit concerns through a dedicated form hotline, and email address, which the Task Force will evaluate to determine whether certain AI companion technologies are engaging in unlicensed practice under existing law. Since its launch, the Task Force has begun tracking and reviewing matters relating to AI, with approximately 10 cases currently under review by the Task Force.
  
  
• Coordinating with Attorney General Dave Sunday to strengthen consumer protections related to AI companion bots. While the Department of State oversees professional licensure and unlicensed practice, the Attorney General has authority under the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law to investigate consumer protection violations. Through this collaboration, the Shapiro Administration and the Office of Attorney General will share information about complaints and refer cases to the appropriate authorities when necessary.

In West Chester, Governor Shapiro convened a second roundtable discussion alongside Attorney General Dave Sunday on the importance of the Governor's new initiatives and additional steps the Commonwealth can take to continue strengthening protections for Pennsylvanians.

Watch Radnor parents speak out against AI deepfakes and hear how Governor Shapiro's new initiatives are leading the way in AI safety.