Senator Dave McCormick Weighs in on AI Race with China – (VIDEO)

Senator Dave McCormick was on “Fox News Sunday” with guest host Jacqui Heinrich to discuss AI and whether it should be regulated.

Heinrich showed a clip of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro criticizing the federal government for failing to regulate AI. Senator McCormick explained that the federal government does not have the ability to regulate such complicated systems, but still understood the need for some accountability.

“Your State’s Governor, Josh Shapiro, accused the federal government this week of slow walking regulation, despite all the warnings that bad actors could use it to build biological weapons and suppress political opponents,” Heinrich said.

“What is your response to that?” Heinrich asked.

“We are in the midst of something that is probably the most profound change that will happen in our lifetime, maybe in human history. This technology offers enormous benefits, productivity improvement, solving rare diseases,” McCormick said.

“This is incredible. It also poses risk in terms of disruption in the economy and the job market, in terms of wealth concentration, possibly in terms of bio terror,” McCormick continued.

“We are in an existential battle with China, so we need to make sure that we continue to be in the lead in innovation, but ensure that we guard against some of those biggest challenges,” McCormick said.

“The companies have a responsibility for ensuring that they are not creating things that can be harmful to the citizenry,” McCormick continued.

“I think putting this in the hands of the government poses two risks. Number one, the government isn’t really capable of monitoring some of these models,” McCormick said.

“And second, I don’t want to give the government consolidated control. This is, you know, we should fear government. That’s why America was born to ensure that the people had the power,” McCormick said.

“I think we need to guide and guard against some of these worst-case scenarios, but we need to be very careful we don’t stifle innovation, and industry needs to take the lead,” McCormick explained.

“Why should Americans trust these AI companies who are racing not just against each other, but also against China, to effectively police themselves?” Heinrich asked.

“Number one, we should make it clear. It is clear now, but I think we should consider further legislation, that the liability rests with the company,” McCormick said.

“Second, I’m not saying that this should be absent of the government’s involvement. I think the idea that the President has of creating a cabinet,” McCormick explained.

“The capability to monitor and provide oversight honestly resides with those companies,” McCormick said.

Watch:

WATCH: @SenMcCormickPA says about AI regulations, “we’re in an existential battle with China,” so we need to lead, but adds we must “guard against some of those biggest challenges.” pic.twitter.com/foCUZ4QX1G

— Fox News Sunday (@FoxNewsSunday) September 20, 2026