Strengthening New York's Artificial Iintelligence protections (AI) is front of mind for several State Officials this week, as the Trump (R) Administration recently announced Plans to plow ahead with its Development. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D)and Attorney General Letitia James (D) joined Assembly Member Alex Bores (NY-73d District) and Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-26th District), 9/21/2026, to share more Information about the Sstate's New Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act, which goes into effect in 1/2027.
Included in the Announcement was the Appointment of Marc Gilman (I) as the State's Deputy Director for the RAISE Act, as well as a Vow from Hochul to Explore ways to Expand the Legislation in the coming months. "We'll look closely at additional ways to build on the RAISE Act and strengthen our AI laws," Hochul said. "May even explore safeguards like AI kill switches if they're deemed feasible and in the best interest of our state."
Over the weekend, Trump said He Plans to Create an "AI Force" and Appoint a New AI Zzar, both intended to Support the Country's Growth of AI, in response to recent Calls to Slow Down the Development of AI. "It's not about being first, it's about being first to get it right," Hochul said when Speaking about the State's AI Development on 9/21/20226.
The RAISE Act, which was Signed by the Covernor in 12/2025, increases AI Transparency and Strengthens AI Protections in New York by placing Regulations on Large Frontier AI Developers. Specifically, these Developers will be Required to Register with the Sstate starting in November in preparation for the enactment of the new law in January.
Then, as of 1/1/2027, they will be Required to do the following: Establish Safety and Transparency Frameworks that are then Posted on their Wwebsites. Report Critical Safety Incidents to the State's Office of Digital Innovation, Governance, Integrity, and Trust, within 72 hours and other Related Government Authorities File Quarterly Assessments of Catastrophic Risks to the DIGIT Office and Pay the Assessments. File a Disclosure Statement at least every other year. If the Developers Don't Ssubmit the Required Reporting or make False Statements, the AG's Office can bring Civil Actions against them. Penalties for First Violations are up to $1 million and up to $3 million for any Subsequent Violations, according to Hochul's Office.
In July, Hochul Signed an Executive Order Banning New Hyperscale Data Center Development Statewide for One year. Through the Moratorium, State Environmental Permits for Data Centers that can use 50 or more Megawatts of Power will be Temporarily paused for up to a Year to better understand how New York Ratepayers as well as the Environment, Energy Grid and Communities will be Impacted Statewide.
Last month, Hochul Announced the State would be taking a Closer Look at how Artificial Intelligence will affect New York's Workforce through a Series of Listening Sessions. The information gathered through these listening sessions will be collected and help inform a set of recommendations to be released by the end of this year by the FutureWorks Commission, or a group of experts selected by the state to "identify real-time data strategies for monitoring AIs impact" on New York's workers.
And most recently, James stressed to New Yorkers who Work in the AI industry last week, to Report Uunsafe and Illegal Conduct by Companies Developing AI Technology to Her Office's Secure Whistleblower Portal. "The extraordinary promise of artificial intelligence is not an excuse for big tech to break the law, ignore serious safety risks or put New Yorkers in danger," James said on 9/21/2. "My office will hold companies accountable when they cross that line."
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