State AI Opportunity Task Force kicks off with day of activities
The Pennsylvania Artificial Intelligence Opportunity Task Force, under leadership of state Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-12th, officially launched Thursday, March 20 with numerous activities and meetings.
The task force was founded in 2024 “to help identify opportunities for the adoption of AI across various industries throughout the commonwealth and to guide legislative policy on the issue,” according to the Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus website.
Scialabba’s office provided an overview of the task force’s first day in a news release Friday.
The task force started at the Iron Mountain facility in Boyers. The location is a secure facility that is used by multiple private and public sector organizations, primarily the U.S. Office of Personnel Management Retirement Services.
The location recently received national attention after Elon Musk, acting in an advisory role in the new Trump administration, made comments related to the facility and the processing of federal retirements. OPM staff recently announced its first fully digital retirement via X.
The group also went to the North Country Brewing in Slippery Rock to discuss the small-business climate in the state with the pub’s owner, Bob McCafferty.
The task force spent the afternoon at the Pittsburgh Technology Council for a joint federal and state field hearing on defensive technology.
Topics of the hearing included national security and autonomy, defensive robotics, tax issues related to amortizing research and development of AI, and domestic energy production that would power AI and simultaneously boost national, energy and economic security, according to the release.
The group capped its day with guided tour of Gecko Robotics in Pittsburgh. The company, started by Grove City College alumni, focuses on AI and robotics.
According to the Pennsylvania Republican Party website, the task force is scoping out potential tours and testifiers for upcoming committee work and hearings. If interested in securing a facility tour or speaking at a field hearing, please reach out to Scialabba’s district office at 724-772-3110.
