Comment by Abigail Spanberger

Despite federal inaction, the Commonwealth will continue to address the very serious concerns Virginians have about the development of this technology. We’ve already seen how real it is. AI is rapidly reshaping the cyber landscape — evidenced by Anthropic AI agents taking improper actions on government websites across the country, including submitting fake Freedom of Information Act requests on a Virginia Department of Education website. While it is our understanding that no sensitive information was accessed, that makes me no less concerned about the future risks that lie ahead. This new executive directive is just the beginning. I’ll continue to leverage my authority as Governor to address these risks, strengthen our Commonwealth’s security, and prioritize the safety of Virginians. That is my obligation to every person in this Commonwealth, and I take it seriously.