Cuomo signs bill creating state commission to study artificial intelligence and robotics

ALBANY, N.Y. — A temporary state commission will study and investigate how to regulate artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and automation.

The New York State Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and Automation Commission will look at the latest uses and impacts of these technologies to determine how the state can “best utilize and regulate them as necessary.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Wednesday signed legislation creating the commission, his office said in a news release.

“Artificial intelligence and automation are already having a profound impact across many industries and their influence keeps growing, so it’s critical that we do everything in our power to understand their capabilities and potential pitfalls,” Cuomo said. “This new commission will look closely at how these rapidly evolving technologies are functioning and report back on how we can optimize use to benefit New Yorkers and our economy.”

The commission will examine how artificial intelligence, robotics, and automation affect employment in New York. It’ll also look at how these technologies acquire and disclose people’s personal information and affect technology industries.

The group will examine how the public sector can use AI, robotics, and automation to enhance performance and services; and how they may be used in unlawful or unsafe ways, per the release.

The commission will also evaluate how other states have used and regulated these technologies; determine whether current New York laws are effective in regulating them; and make recommendations for how the state can leverage existing uses and, if necessary, update laws to protect industries and residents.

The review will include meetings with key stakeholder groups to understand the full landscape of AI, robotics, and automation as “emerging technologies” within the business, nonprofit, academic, and governmental sectors, Cuomo’s office said.

The commission will consist of 13 members — five appointed by the governor, two by the temporary president of the state Senate, one by the minority leader of the Senate, two by the speaker of the Assembly, one by the minority leader of the Assembly, one by the SUNY chancellor, and one by the CUNY chancellor.

Upon completion of its study, the commission will issue a final report with its findings and recommendations to the governor and legislative leaders, Cuomo’s office said.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com