The New York state legislature last month passed a bill limiting how state agencies can use artificial intelligence in their decision-making processes, making it the first state to pass such a law.
The bill, known as the Legislative Oversight of Automated Decision-Making in Government Act, or LOADinG Act, passed both houses of Congress last month and would require state agencies, if authorized by the governor, to disclose any AI-enabled software or automated decision-making they use, including systems that are already in use.
It would also require state agencies that use AI to do so with direct human review and oversight, and to produce reports to the Governor every two years on how they're using such technology.
The bill would also prohibit state agencies from replacing civil servants with AI systems and require them to get approval before using automated decision-making systems. A spokesperson for New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez, who introduced the bill, said several state agencies already use automated decision-making systems to issue driver's licenses, provide public benefits, process low-income housing applications and review state taxes.
While other states have passed laws regulating the use of AI in the private sector, New York's LOADing Act would be the first state to enact strict limits on the use of AI within its own agencies. Many states have formed task forces to sort out the complexities of state government use of AI, and some, such as California, are running pilot programs to test new AI technologies.
The Legislature must send the bill to Gov. Kathy Hawkle by the end of the year. If the governor doesn't act, it will automatically become law 10 days after it is sent.
