MTC Statement on Maryland AI Framework and Data Center Executive Order
ROCKVILLE, MD (September 23, 2026) — The Maryland Tech Council, the largest technology and life sciences trade association in the state, issued the following statement regarding the Moore Administration’s executive orders on artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers in Maryland.
“Maryland ranks #1 in the nation for AI adoption, demonstrating that Marylanders are embracing AI as a powerful tool for good in their lives and work. Further, AI and the digital infrastructure underpinning it are the foundation of Maryland’s lighthouse industries. Life sciences, information technology, and aerospace and defense employ hundreds of thousands of Marylanders and use AI and data centers every day to research treatments, save lives, and secure the nation.
“At a time when state and local governments are navigating structural budget deficits, Maryland should be prioritizing private-sector investment and job growth in our communities. A stronger private sector will expand our tax base, shore up funding for public services, and generate new job opportunities for Marylanders. Conversely, heavy-handed regulations will create uncertainty for employers and impose new barriers to investment in our communities.
“Maryland created the Workgroup on Artificial Intelligence Implementation to study many of the public’s questions and concerns about AI and to provide recommendations to policymakers. The state is also still in the process of producing a report analyzing the impact of data centers in Maryland. We believe it is premature to issue major policy decisions before the workgroup has issued any recommendations, the state has completed its data center report, and policymakers have engaged meaningfully with stakeholders.
“The Maryland Tech Council supports sensible safeguards that address legitimate questions about AI and digital infrastructure. However, Maryland must avoid a regulatory approach that drives industries of the future to neighboring states. Guardrails and growth are not opposites. It is vital that policymakers, communities, and job creators work together to uplift Marylanders while enabling innovative companies to invest and create jobs in our state.”
Read the Moore Administration’s statements below.
Executive Order 01.01.2026.16 — Responsible Data Center Development in Maryland: Protecting Ratepayers, Empowering Communities, and Ensuring Transparency and Accountability
Protecting Marylanders in the Age of Artificial Intelligence