Vermont Candidates Split on AI and Surveillance Policy
The gubernatorial race highlights contrasting visions for state-level AI regulation and data center growth.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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Should states take the lead on regulating artificial intelligence rather than the federal government?
Vermont gubernatorial candidates Phil Scott and Amanda Janoo have proposed opposing approaches to regulating artificial intelligence and data center infrastructure. The race arrives as officials navigate the intersection of state-level oversight and federal technology policy.
Why it matters
The candidates represent divergent philosophies on digital governance, with Janoo prioritizing state-level protections against surveillance and Scott favoring federal alignment.
Current Vermont state officials utilize AI models developed by Anthropic to probe IT systems for security vulnerabilities. This implementation contrasts with proposals for broader regulatory frameworks governing independent testing of AI systems.
The players
Phil Scott
The current Governor of Vermont who supports federal alignment on AI regulation and has promoted state-level task forces.
Amanda Janoo
A Vermont gubernatorial candidate advocating for strict state-level AI regulations and the divestment of public funds from surveillance companies.
Donald Trump
The President of the United States who signed a recent self-policing agreement regarding artificial intelligence with industry leaders.
Anthropic
An AI development company whose models are currently used by Vermont state officials to scan IT systems for security vulnerabilities.
Flock Safety
An Atlanta-based surveillance technology firm that provides license plate reading cameras used by over 5,000 law enforcement agencies.
The details
Janoo proposes implementing state-level AI regulations requiring independent testing and human oversight protocols. Scott, meanwhile, has moved to coordinate with other governors to influence federal AI regulation and previously vetoed a bill intended to restrict large data center expansion. These policy differences extend to the use of automated surveillance, with Janoo advocating for bans on Flock Safety license plate readers—a camera-based automated system for identifying vehicle tags—citing concerns over civil liberties.
Timeline
May 2026: Governor Scott signed an executive order creating an AI task force.
June 2026: VTDigger reported on the use of Flock cameras by Vermont police departments.
September 2026: Florida and Texas governors took steps to curtail license-plate reader use.
September 2026: President Donald Trump and AI company leaders signed a self-policing agreement.
November 2026: The Vermont gubernatorial election will take place.
The Tech Race
The gubernatorial debate reflects a broader friction between voluntary federal standards and the push for mandatory state-level oversight. Janoo's platform seeks to exceed the federal self-policing agreement signed by President Donald Trump and industry leaders last month.
Residents should track whether AI regulation shifts toward mandatory state-level testing, which could influence future data center development and technology procurement in Vermont. The outcome of the November 2026 election will determine if current procurement practices involving AI systems remain the status quo.
The takeaway
Vermont voters face a binary choice between federal-aligned governance and a move toward strict, state-mandated AI testing. Monitor the election results on November 2026 to see which regulatory trajectory prevails in the state.
Further reading
For more context on regional policy shifts, explore the Artificial Intelligence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by VTDigger.
Live Poll
Should states take the lead on regulating artificial intelligence rather than the federal government?
