(The Center Square) — Social media sites like Faecbook, Instagram and TikTok will be required to display warning labels for New York minors about their “addictive design” features under a bill signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The new law, called the Responsible AI Safety and Education Act, sets new safety regulations on major AI companies and requires disclosure within 72 hours if a company believes harm may be imminent from one of their platforms.
Hochul said the RAISE Act sets up New York as a leader in the rush to regulate the industry, and establishes “a strong and sensible standard for frontier AI safety, holding the biggest developers accountable for their safety and transparency protocols.”
Before signing the bill, Hochul wielded her executive powers to rework versions of the bill to more closely resemble legislation approved by California, which she said, provides a more uniform standard for AI companies.
“This law builds on California’s recently adopted framework, creating a unified benchmark among the country’s leading tech states as the federal government lags behind, failing to implement common-sense regulations that protect the public,” she said in a statement.
Under the new law, the Attorney General’s office can file civil lawsuits against large AI developers for failing to submit required reporting or by making false statements. Penalties range from $1 million for a first violation and up to $3 million for multiple violations.
One of the bill’s primary sponsors, state Sen Andrew Gournardes, D-Brooklyn, said the new law “lays the groundwork for a world where AI innovation makes life better instead of putting it at risk.”
“This is an enormous win for the safety of our communities, the growth of our economy and the future of our society,” he said in a statement. “Big tech oligarchs think it’s fine to put their profits ahead of our safety — we disagree. With this law, we make clear that tech innovation and safety don’t have to be at odds. In New York, we can lead in both.”
Earlier this month, Hochul signed legislation aimed at Hollywood film producers by requiring anyone making or creating a TV ad to provide a disclosure if it includes AI-generated synthetic performers. Another related bill signed by Hochul requires written consent from heirs or executors if a person wants to use the name, image, or likeness of an individual for commercial purposes after their death.
New York’s move to regulate the industry puts the state on a collision course with the federal government, which is vowing to scuttle state regulations it claims would cripple the burgeoning industry.
Two weeks ago, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to limit states’ ability to regulate artificial intelligence and upend existing laws. The order came after Congress failed to pass a bill with similar regulations.
Trump administration officials say they want to prevent a hodgepodge of regulations by states that could make it difficult for big AI companies to compete nationwide.
