This is in response to: “Virginia leads the country in tech talent. One AI bill on Youngkin’s desk could throw it all away.”
I was alarmed to read the cynical and deceptive opinion piece published by representatives of the tech industry on Wednesday urging our governor not to sign HB 2094. As a Virginia community leader committed to building an economy that works for all, I am a proud supporter of this bill. It protects Virginians from high-risk artificial intelligence while also ensuring that the technology industry can absolutely create good jobs and great products.
I can guess why these industry representatives only gave vague and misleading descriptions of the legislation: the actual proposal is both common sense and popular. HB 2094 covers autonomous systems that make decisions with no human input. It requires developers to assess and disclose how these systems operate in high-risk situations, like determining jail releases or legal marriage status. If an algorithm makes mistakes, Virginians deserve recourse. This bill simply establishes accountability for AI deployers because their systems can put the rights and livelihoods of Virginians at risk.
What this legislation does not do is restrict innovation or growth in Virginia’s vital technology industry. The figures cited by these tech industry representatives are not just inflated—they border on fraud. Their homemade “research” contains slapdash arguments and made-up evidence. The technology industry should come to Virginia’s lawmakers in good faith and with the facts. Instead, they have chosen to use their money to flood the Commonwealth with misleading claims — incredibly unethical.
Anyone who looks at the record will see that HB 2094 was crafted carefully, with thorough industry input, to protect the ability of companies to take risks for growth and innovation. You can read the plain text and third-party analyses for yourself. This legislation is thoughtful and narrow in order to protect the highest-risk uses of these brand-new technologies, while encouraging the technology industry to grow in a safe and responsible way. Similar legislation passed in Colorado has already set a strong precedent for balancing technological progress with public safety. Don’t let your rights as a consumer be undermined by misinformation and industry scare tactics.
I support this bill because I want a safe, prosperous future for Virginia where the technology industry is valued as a responsible actor — not a future in which big technology corporations run roughshod over our freedoms. Virginia absolutely should welcome the tech industry and the many incredible engineers, coders and AI developers who are building the economy of the 21st century. Virginians value good-paying technology jobs. Projects from corporate campuses in Northern Virginia to data centers in localities that want them can be win-win for the industry and for Virginia’s economy.
HB 2094 exists because many of us fear that large corporations have too much power over our lives, and choose to resist even common-sense regulations. From reforming Appalachian Power to protecting gig workers on technology platforms, Virginia leaders are stepping up to make sure that companies play by the rules. HB 2094 is a great example of how we protect Virginians while promoting a thriving economy.
Seeing industry representatives misrepresent HB 2094 has doubled my support of this bill’s common-sense regulations of a new technology. We call on Governor Youngkin to pass this bill on behalf of all of us who deserve safe products — and to show that Virginia leaders serve their constituents, not manipulative corporations.
Renee Ding manages a philanthropy fund supporting Democratic candidates who fight inequality. She previously conducted policy research at Center for American Progress and the Center for Democracy and Civic Engagement at the University of Maryland. She lives in Arlington.
