Empire State AI Accountability

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Friend,

From films like 2001: A Space Odyssey to The Matrix, we’ve seen a lot of imaginary artificial intelligence onscreen, but few laws regulating the very real AI growing more prevalent in our everyday lives. On Wednesday, in a press conference at the New York State Capitol in Albany, S.T.O.P. launched the “Empire State AI Accountability” legislative campaign. The campaign includes first-in-the-nation laws to protect New Yorkers from the discriminatory impacts of artificial intelligence. AI’s role in hiring has already caused massive discrimination based on disability, and the technology poses countless other risks in employment, public benefits, and policing.

In Albany, S.T.O.P. was joined by State Senators Jabari Brisport, Kristen Gonzalez, and Brad Hoylman-Sigal, Assemblymembers Zohran Mamdani and Steven Otis, and civil rights groups NYC DSA Tech Action Working Group and Thuley. The bills, namely the LOADinG Act, Chief AI Officer, Law Enforcement Biometrics Ban, and the Bossware and Oppressive Technologies Act, seek to regulate the use of automated decision making systems and provide protections to workers subjected to them. And the establishment of a Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer will ensure that regulations put in place will stay in place.

After years of watching industry capture the AI debate with toothless regulation, lawmakers have an opportunity to make New York State a model for responsible AI policy. As artificial intelligence continues to find use beyond the movie screen, we must prioritize humans over algorithms.

In solidarity,
Will Owen
Communications Director

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NewsletterLeticia MurilloMay 18, 2024