Governor Pritzker calls for Congressional hearings, federal action, and Big Tech accountability following warnings from AI whistleblower
September 9, 2026
CHICAGO – With the resignation of yet another whistleblower within the AI industry and growing concerns over the threat this technology poses to humanity, Governor JB Pritzker today demanded immediate action from the Big Tech industry, Congress, and the federal government.
In an X thread announcing his resignation, the whistleblower cited the “hubristic gamble” the industry is making on human lives.
“It's time to sound the alarm — louder — on reining in Artificial Intelligence,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It's becoming more clear the threat AI poses to humanity, so I'm calling for immediate action from the industry and Washington. When AI researchers are whistleblowing, we need to listen.”
“We have a duty to the people of Illinois to make sure any technology being rolled out is safe and regulated — that includes artificial and super intelligence,” said Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton. “While innovations like this have the capacity to improve our lives, they also have the capacity to do real harm. We must act now to put the proper guardrails in place to get Big Tech out of our elections, hold Washington accountable, and ensure that Illinoisans are protected as we continue to innovate.”
In a post on X, Governor Pritzker outlined the immediate steps needed to rein in AI before it poses an existential threat to humanity:
1. Stop Big Tech Lobbying Against Safety
When leaders within the tech industry lobby against AI safety regulations and attempt to sway democratic elections to serve their profits, they are leveling their influence against humanity. They are committing a harm that cannot be undone.
The industry must stop this lobbying and remain responsible and responsive to the concerns of their own researchers and developers.
2. Hold Immediate Congressional Hearings on AI Safety
Currently, the Senate Commerce Committee has no upcoming hearings on AI safety. Instead, the only hearing they have scheduled is on college athletics, which should be tabled until AI safety is meaningfully addressed.
There is no time to deliberate or hesitate. Congress must prioritize our safety, before it is too late.
3. Call for Federal Intervention
While some states like Illinois have stepped up to advance AI safety, federal intervention and action is overdue. This moment requires clear and consistent coordination across the U.S. to protect our people. In July, Governor Pritzker signed the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Safety Measures Act (SB 315) – leading the nation with the strongest framework placed for AI safety, accountability, and transparency. This framework implemented risk identification, disclosure, and mitigation requirements on the largest AI developers in the state, including annual independent third-party audits and protections for workers who report safety concerns – an essential safeguard as safety concerns rise in the very development hubs where AI continues to evolve.
Without federal leadership, states like Illinois, California, and New York — cumulatively accounting for about 40% of the U.S. AI market — have effectively set national standards for AI safety.
These steps must be taken immediately and without political game playing or profit chasing. The stakes could not be higher.