Davids, Local Business Owners Discuss Responsible AI, Industry Growth

Image October 20, 2026 Press Release Leading tech executives recently advocated for slowdowns to AI OVERLAND PARK, KC — Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined the KC Tech Council and more than a dozen business owners for a roundtable on emerging technology, artificial intelligence (AI), infrastructure, and business innovation. The conversation centered on finding a balance between economic growth and safety regulations — a perspective Davids plans to bring to Washington. “Today was a real learning opportunity for me,” said Davids . “Artificial intelligence holds incredible promise for our small businesses, but we cannot ignore the real dangers. AI companies need to be held accountable especially when their products put kids at risk, and local communities shouldn’t be left footing the bill for the massive energy infrastructure these corporations require. I’m taking what I heard from our local business leaders today back to Washington to make sure Congress strikes the right balance between supporting economic growth and keeping our families safe.” According to a recent survey , about 3 out of 4 small businesses use AI tools today, and almost all of them say it’s helping their business run better and faster. Even as local businesses use these technologies to grow, most Americans say the government needs to step in with basic safety rules. Recent national polls show that over 80 percent of voters want clear standards to keep AI safe for kids and families. Davids made clear that Washington must listen to both sides — helping local businesses succeed while putting sensible guardrails in place to protect the public. During the discussion, attendees covered a wide range of policy areas impacting the regional economy, including: Federal AI Policy and Data Privacy: Developing a clear, unified national framework for responsible AI deployment and strong federal data privacy standards. Energy, Grid Capacity, and Infrastructure: Addressing high-power energy demands through permitting reform and targeted infrastructure investment. Manufacturing and Supply Chain Resilience: Strengthening domestic manufacturing, electric vehicle (EV) battery investment, and supply chain security across the Midwest. Healthcare IT and Interoperability: Improving healthcare data systems to enhance patient outcomes and streamline health IT operations. Workforce Development and Veteran Training: Expanding tech training pathways, including funding for veteran tech workforce programs. Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Increasing access to capital and federal resource programs for local startups and small business owners. Participants Included: Beale Infrastructure Black & Veatch Centriq Training Comcast Delta Dental of Kansas Garmin Hallmark Cards Kiewit Engineering NvisionKC Panasonic Stinson LLP Veracity Consulting WellSky Davids will use the feedback gathered from today’s session to inform her legislative work as D.C. considers federal AI guardrails, energy infrastructure, and economic development legislation. Issues : Jobs, Economy & Small Businesses