The New York City Council moved to implement a series of regulations for artificial intelligence, including a whistleblower program.
One of the bills introduced prohibits businesses from selling or using AI systems in the city unless they are inspected by a third-party source. This legislation would also require AI systems to have a kill switch, a component that must be validated by the certifier. Another bill establishes the means by which an AI whistleblower may receive a portion of the fines recovered from companies found to be violating laws.
Other bills include the establishment of plans of action to keep AI in alignment with city policies and protect safety controls.
“New York City is fast becoming the technology and AI capital of the world, which we want to encourage. But that also means we now have an even greater responsibility to ensure that we have the appropriate safeguards in place to protect New Yorkers from unintended consequences,” said New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin. “While the federal government fails to meet the moment and take decisive action, New York City will explore nation-leading measures that protect the public while allowing innovation to thrive. We can and must be both pro-innovation and pro-safety.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) similarly signed an executive order to expand oversight measures on artificial intelligence programs.
Under the order, the Government Operations Agency, alongside industry experts, is required to submit proposals for AI safety plans to Newsom’s office. The recommendations are to include transparency reports, risk assessments, the creation of a “kill switch” for AI models, and the “efficacy of the switch verified on an ongoing basis by an independent verification organization,” as well as updating the “definition of critical safety incidents that AI companies are required to report to include a range of loss-of-control incidents.”
