Governor Wes Moore unveiled a new responsible‑AI development framework on September 22‑23, 2026, and signed an executive order that limits tax exemptions for data‑center projects across Maryland. The dual actions were presented as steps to safeguard state workers from emerging AI‑related risks while adjusting fiscal incentives tied to large‑scale data‑center construction.
The AI framework outlined by the governor’s office emphasizes a set of principles designed to ensure that artificial‑intelligence systems are developed and deployed in ways that do not jeopardize employment stability. By focusing on protective measures for workers, the administration aims to enable Maryland’s labor force to adapt and thrive alongside advancing technology.
In parallel, the executive order curtails the tax breaks previously offered to developers of data‑center facilities. By narrowing these exemptions, the state seeks to reduce the financial incentives that have encouraged rapid expansion of data‑center infrastructure, thereby aligning tax policy with broader economic and workforce objectives.
Maryland’s moves come as a number of states are tightening oversight of artificial‑intelligence applications and reassessing tax benefits linked to large data‑center operations. The governor’s initiatives place Maryland among jurisdictions that are actively revising policy to address both the opportunities and challenges presented by AI and high‑tech facilities.
The announced measures reflect the administration’s intent to balance technological progress with the protection of Maryland’s workforce and fiscal health. Officials indicated that the framework and tax‑policy adjustment will be implemented through existing regulatory channels, though specific timelines for rollout were not detailed in the announcement.