A new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul requires New York state government agencies to conduct audits and publish reports detailing how they use artificial intelligence software.
Hochul, a Democrat, signed the bill last week after it was passed by state lawmakers earlier this year.
The law requires state agencies to evaluate any software that uses algorithms, computational models or AI techniques and then submit those evaluations to the governor and top lawmakers and publish them online.
It also prohibits the use of AI in certain situations, such as an automated decision about whether someone receives unemployment benefits or child care assistance, unless the system is constantly monitored by a human.
With rapid global advances and the use of artificial intelligence technologies, the federal government has invested millions to combine the minds of three existing institutes into one that can keep an eye on potential threats.
The law protects employees from working time restrictions due to AI
Under the law, government employees would also be protected from having their work hours or work tasks restricted due to AI, addressing a major concern that critics of generative AI have raised.
State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, a Democrat who sponsored the bill, called the law an important step in setting some guidelines for the use of the new technology in state government.
Experts have long called for greater regulation of generative AI as the technology becomes more widespread.
In addition to job security, the biggest concerns raised by critics include security concerns over personal data and the fact that AI could amplify misinformation because of its tendency to make up facts, repeat false statements and create near-photorealistic images in response to prompts.
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