ALBANY, N.Y. – Governor Kathy Hochul has signed a pivotal law that mandates state government agencies in New York to conduct thorough assessments and report usage details of artificial intelligence (AI) software.

This legislation, which emerged from earlier deliberations by state lawmakers, emphasizes the necessity for transparency in how AI is incorporated into government operations. Under the new guidelines, state agencies are required to evaluate any software utilizing algorithms, computational models, or AI techniques.

These assessments are to be submitted to the governor as well as top legislative leaders, and must also be made publicly accessible online.

Importantly, the law restricts the application of AI in certain critical areas. For instance, automated decisions regarding unemployment benefits or child care assistance will not be permitted unless they are under constant human monitoring. This crucial feature aims to safeguard citizens from the potential pitfalls of automated decision-making.

In an additional protective measure, state employees will not face constraints on their work hours or job responsibilities originating from AI systems.

State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, a key proponent of the legislation, emphasized its significance by stating that it lays down essential guardrails for any future applications of emerging technologies within state governance.