New York Governor unveils Empire AI consortium to harness the power of artificial intelligence
On January 8, 2024, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the creation of the “Empire AI” consortium as part of her 2024 State of the State proposal. The consortium aims to consolidate computing resources and funding needed to support AI research and establish a technology hub in upstate New York. The goal is to harness the power of artificial intelligence and ensure its use for the public interest.
The Empire AI consortium will initially consist of seven prestigious institutions, including Columbia University, Cornell University, New York University (NYU), Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, the State University of New York system (SUNY), the City University of New York (CUNY), and the Simons Foundation. These institutions will receive $400 million in funding from the state, the Simons Foundation, and Tom Secunda, co-founder of Bloomberg LP.
The establishment of the Empire AI consortium signals the state’s commitment to promoting innovation and attracting high-paying AI jobs to New York in the long term. By consolidating resources and expertise, the consortium aims to position New York as a leading hub for AI research and development.
NY ITS issues policy on acceptable use of AI technologies, impacting public and private organizations
In conjunction with the announcement of the Empire AI consortium, New York Governor Kathy Hochul directed the New York Office of Information Technology Services (NY ITS) to issue a new state IT policy on the “Acceptable Use of Artificial Intelligence Technologies“—NYS-P24-001. This policy outlines the requirements for the use of AI within the state and affects both public and private organizations.
Under the new policy, any state use of AI must include human oversight, fairness and equity, transparency, AI risk assessment and management, privacy controls, security, and protection of intellectual property. The policy not only applies to state entities and agencies but also extends to local governments, contractors, and third parties that may access or manage AI systems on behalf of a state entity.
This policy signifies the state’s commitment to ensuring responsible and ethical AI usage across various sectors. By implementing these guidelines, New York aims to mitigate potential risks associated with AI while promoting innovation and the public interest.
Key takeaways from New York’s AI initiatives: long-term opportunities and short-term compliance requirements
The announcement of the Empire AI consortium highlights the state’s focus on long-term opportunities, including attracting innovation and high-paying AI jobs. However, in the short run, organizations will need to quickly establish AI compliance programs to comply with the NY ITS policy.
Key takeaways from these initiatives include the wide application of the NY ITS policy, impacting various organizations beyond state entities. The policy requires organizations to conduct an inventory of their AI systems, perform AI risk assessments, and adhere to specific guidelines outlined by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
The NY ITS policy took immediate effect upon its publication, compelling organizations to take prompt action to ensure compliance. These initiatives signal the state’s proactive approach to governing AI technologies and set the stage for increased scrutiny and regulation across industries.
Recommendations for organizations affected by NY ITS AI policy: forming data governance committees and building AI inventory
To navigate the requirements of the NY ITS AI policy, organizations affected by the regulations should take specific steps. One recommendation is to form a Data Governance Committee, particularly in industries such as healthcare, where additional privacy and cybersecurity requirements are evolving. This committee should bring together experts from various disciplines to take a holistic approach to data use.
Additionally, affected organizations need to build an inventory of their AI systems as per the NY ITS policy requirements. This inventory will help organizations gain a clear understanding of their AI assets and streamline the risk assessment process. Organizations should also adhere to the risk assessment procedures outlined by the NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework and Roadmap.
Taking these recommended actions promptly will enable organizations to establish a robust foundation for AI compliance and adapt to the evolving regulatory landscape.
Examples of acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI under the NY ITS policy, and recommended actions for organizations
To provide guidance on acceptable AI usage under the NY ITS policy, the NY ITS office has published examples of acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI. Organizations should review these examples and adopt the recommended actions to ensure compliance:
- Prohibit the use of personal or confidential information in public AI tools to protect privacy and prevent unauthorized access.
- Require any AI “chatbots” to include a pop-up disclosure, stating that the responses are generated by a machine, not a human, to ensure transparency and avoid creating misleading impressions.
- Ensure all AI results are reviewed and vetted by a human to prevent biased or discriminatory outcomes and maintain fairness in decision-making processes.
By following these examples and recommendations, organizations can align their AI usage with the NY ITS policy and demonstrate their commitment to responsible and ethical AI practices. This will help create a culture of accountability and promote the public interest in the deployment of artificial intelligence.
Analyst comment
Positive news: The establishment of the Empire AI consortium demonstrates New York’s commitment to promoting innovation and attracting high-paying AI jobs, positioning the state as a leading hub for AI research.
Neutral news: The policy on acceptable use of AI technologies aims to ensure responsible and ethical AI usage across various sectors, mitigating potential risks while promoting innovation and the public interest.
Analyst prediction: The market for AI technologies in New York is expected to grow as the Empire AI consortium attracts more investment and talent to the state. Organizations will need to quickly establish AI compliance programs to meet the requirements of the NY ITS policy, leading to increased demand for AI consulting and security services.
