The New York City Council recently conducted a hearing to discuss potential legislative measures aimed at regulating artificial intelligence. Representatives from OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google participated in the session, alongside former employees of AI firms. The council members questioned the executives regarding safety protocols and potential risks associated with the technology.
Proposed bills under consideration include the creation of a city-run kill switch for AI systems, protections for whistleblowers, and restrictions on AI usage within public schools. Additionally, the council is evaluating requirements for independent third-party validation and a private right-of-action for citizens who may be harmed by AI agents.
City Council Speaker Julie Menin stated that these local initiatives could establish a national framework for AI regulation. During the hearing, representatives from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta expressed support for implementing guardrails, such as third-party evaluations. The council previously noted that several companies agreed to attend only after receiving subpoena threats.
