Vermont Candidates Debated AI and Surveillance Policy
Phil Scott and Amanda Janoo have proposed starkly different approaches to regulating artificial intelligence in the state.
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 recently outlined opposing strategies for managing artificial intelligence and data center expansion. The candidates remain divided on whether Vermont should implement its own strict AI oversight or align with federal regulations.
Why it matters
The race highlights a national debate over whether individual states should lead on AI governance or defer to broader federal standards to avoid a fragmented regulatory landscape. Decisions made in this election could reshape how Vermont manages digital privacy, infrastructure, and emerging technologies.
While more than 5,000 law enforcement agencies nationwide use Flock Safety cameras, state officials in Vermont utilize AI technology from Anthropic to probe IT systems for security flaws.
The players
Phil Scott
Phil Scott is the current Governor of Vermont and is seeking reelection in the upcoming state contest.
Amanda Janoo
Amanda Janoo is a candidate for Governor of Vermont who has campaigned on aggressive AI and surveillance reform.
Donald Trump
Donald Trump is the current President of the United States.
The details
Amanda Janoo has proposed state-level regulations including mandatory independent testing and human oversight, while advocating for a ban on Flock Safety license plate readers. Conversely, Phil Scott recently signed an executive order creating an AI task force and supports a moratorium on large data center construction while awaiting federal action.
Timeline
In May 2026, Governor Scott signed an executive order creating an AI task force.
In June 2026, VTDigger reported that police departments in Vermont use Flock cameras.
In September 2026, Florida and Texas governors took steps to curtail license-plate readers.
In September 2026, President Donald Trump and AI company leaders signed a self-policing agreement.
The Vermont gubernatorial election is scheduled for November 2026.
The Tech Race
The debate over Vermont's AI governance follows the implementation of the 2026 executive order on AI task forces, which prioritized state-led monitoring. These local strategies represent a departure from the self-policing agreements recently championed by federal leaders.
Residents may see changes to how local law enforcement utilizes surveillance technology like license plate readers depending on the election outcome. Additionally, new tax proposals from candidates could shift the financial burden for companies operating digital advertising within the state.
The takeaway
Voters are being asked to choose between a cautious approach that favors federal alignment and an aggressive push for localized oversight of new technologies. This choice will determine whether Vermont establishes its own restrictive standards for AI and mass surveillance tools.
What happens next
The candidates will face off in the Vermont gubernatorial election on November 3, 2026.
Further reading
For more context on how the state is navigating this technology, visit 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?
