New York Enacts Law to Safeguard Workers from AI Automation
A bill signed into law last week will prevent New York state government agencies from replacing human workers with artificial intelligence software and will require agencies to conduct reviews and publish reports that detail how they’re using AI.
Law Prevents Government Agencies from Cutting Worker Hours or Replacing Them with AI
New York state government agencies will have to conduct reviews and publish reports that detail how they’re using artificial intelligence software, under a new law signed by Governor Kathy Hochul.
Hochul, a Democrat, signed the bill last week after it was passed by state lawmakers earlier this year. The law requires state agencies to perform assessments of any software that uses algorithms, computational models, or AI techniques, and then submit those reviews to the governor and top legislative leaders while also posting them online.
Additionally, the law bars the use of AI in certain situations, such as in automated decisions on whether someone receives unemployment benefits or child-care assistance, unless the system is being monitored consistently by a human.
Law Shields Workers from Limiting of Hours Due to AI
State workers are also shielded from having their hours or job duties limited because of AI under the new law. State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, a Democrat who sponsored the bill, stated that the law is an important step in establishing guardrails regarding how the emerging technology is utilized within state government.
Experts have long been advocating for stricter regulations surrounding generative AI as its prevalence increases.
Concerns raised by critics extend beyond job security to include personal information security and the potential for AI to amplify misinformation.
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- Employment Law
- Workforce Protection