The bill has faced opposition from Silicon Valley, with critics arguing it could hinder innovation and deter companies from offering advanced AI models in New York. However, its co-sponsors, including state Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Alex Bores, argue that the bill is designed to avoid stifling innovation, particularly among startups and academic researchers. The RAISE Act does not require a "kill switch" for AI models and exempts smaller companies from its provisions. Despite industry pushback, proponents believe the bill's regulatory burden is light enough not to drive companies out of New York, given the state's significant economic influence.
Key takeaways:
- The RAISE Act, passed by New York state lawmakers, aims to prevent frontier AI models from contributing to disaster scenarios and establishes transparency standards for AI labs.
- The bill requires AI labs to publish safety and security reports and report safety incidents, with potential civil penalties of up to $30 million for non-compliance.
- The RAISE Act targets large AI companies and addresses criticisms of previous AI safety bills, but has faced significant pushback from Silicon Valley.
- Despite industry resistance, the bill's co-sponsors argue it won't limit innovation and that the economic importance of New York makes it unlikely companies will withdraw their AI models from the state.