New York automation bill would limit state agency use of AI
New York state lawmakers passed a bill last month to limit how state agencies can use artificial intelligence in decision making processes, becoming the first state to pass such legislation.
The bill, known as the “Legislative Oversight of Automated Decision-making in Government Act,” or LOADinG Act, passed both houses last month. If allowed by the governor, it will require state agencies to publicly disclose when they use software powered by AI or use automated decision-making, including for systems already in use.
It would also require state agencies using AI to do so with direct human review and oversight, and to generate a report for the governor every two years on how they use such technologies.
The bill would also prohibit state agencies from replacing government workers with AI systems and require agencies to gain approval before using any automated decision-making system. A spokesperson for New York state Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, who sponsored the bill, said several state agencies already use automated decision-making systems, including for issuing driver’s licenses, awarding public benefits, processing low-income housing applications and reviewing state taxes.
Other states have passed laws regulating the use of AI in the private sector, but New York’s LOADing Act would make the state to first to enact such strict restrictions on the use of AI inside its own agencies. Many states have formed task forces to sort out the complexities of state government’s AI use, and others, such as California, are running pilot programs to test new AI technologies.
The legislature has until the end of the year to send the bill Gov. Kathy Hochul. It will automatically become law 10 days after it is delivered if she does not act on it.
