“New York State Legislature passes bill to regulate artificial intelligence use, pending Gov. Kathy Hochul’s approval.”
As the year comes to a close, Governor Kathy Hochul is faced with a list of approximately 105 bills that need her approval or veto. These bills cover a wide range of topics and issues, from healthcare to environmental conservation to economic development. Lobbying efforts have intensified as various groups advocate for their preferred outcomes on these pending pieces of legislation.
One bill that Governor Hochul recently signed requires health insurers to cover the costs of EpiPens for individuals with allergies. On the other hand, she vetoed a bill that aimed to protect horseshoe crabs from being removed from their natural habitats. Additionally, a bill promoting the game of stickball is still awaiting the governor’s decision.
Artificial intelligence (A.I.) has been a focus of Governor Hochul’s administration, with significant investments in A.I. research and the implementation of guidelines for its use by the state. However, her stance on a bill supported by labor unions that seeks to limit the replacement of state workers with A.I., mandate transparency in A.I. usage by agencies, and regulate A.I. tools remains unknown.
The deadline for Governor Hochul to act on these bills is approaching, and the outcomes will have far-reaching implications for various sectors in the state. Advocacy groups, labor unions, and business interests are actively engaged in influencing the governor’s decisions on these critical pieces of legislation.
Source: The NY Times
