ALBANY, NY — New York state government agencies will be required to conduct reviews and publish reports detailing how they are being used artificial intelligence software, under a new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Hochul, a Democrat, signed the bill last week after state lawmakers passed it earlier this year.
The law requires state agencies to conduct reviews of any software that uses algorithms, computational models or AI techniques, and then submit those reviews to the governor and top legislative leaders along with posting them online.
It also prohibits the use of AI in certain situations, such as to automatically decide whether someone receives unemployment benefits or child care assistance, unless the system is continuously monitored by a human.
State employees would also be protected from having their hours or job duties restricted because of AI under the law.
State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, a Democrat who sponsored the bill, called the law an important step in establishing some safeguards for how emerging technology is used in state government.
