New York Mandates AI Company Registration, Considers 'Kill Switch'

New York will require large-scale Artificial Intelligence companies to register with a state portal starting in November and report critical safety incidents within 72 hours, Governor Kathy Hochul announced Monday.

During a press conference in New York City, Hochul and Attorney General Tish James detailed the next steps in implementing the RAISE Act, described as a comprehensive legislative package aimed at regulating AI within the state. Hochul indicated that her administration is open to considering safeguards such as AI "kill switches" if deemed feasible and beneficial to the state.

Beginning in November, AI developers with annual revenues exceeding $500 million must register with the state's Department of Financial Services. They will also be required to comply with strict transparency rules, including reporting critical safety incidents to the government within a 72-hour timeframe. This move positions New York to take an aggressive stance on AI regulation, contrasting with what Hochul described as a slower approach from Washington.

"When companies are building some of the most powerful technology in the world, people deserve to know what they’re doing to keep it safe, and those companies should be held accountable when things go wrong,“ Hochul stated. She also drew a distinction between her administration's approach and that of President Trump, who has expressed skepticism about the potential dangers of AI.

Concerns surrounding the future of AI have been amplified recently, including a former Anthropic researcher's online claims about the potential for AI to cause existential harm by the end of the decade. In contrast, President Trump has largely downplayed these fears, calling them "a hoax" and emphasizing his commitment to advancing the technology. He stated that he would "only encourage AI or, SI (SUPER INTELLIGENCE)!" while also acknowledging that "Department of Justice, and other Law Enforcement bodies, that will rein things in if we have to."

The RAISE Act was initially signed into law by Hochul in December of the previous year and was amended in March to align with California's AI framework laws. In July, Hochul also enacted a statewide moratorium on new AI data centers that consume over 50 megawatts of electricity, placing a pause on such construction for at least one year due to perceived threats associated with hyperscale data centers.

![New York Gov. Kathy Hochul speaks at a podium with the text "LEADING THE NATION ON AI SAFETY" while flanked by AG Letitia James and other lawmakers.]( "New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, wearing a brown leather jacket, speaks at a podium with the text "LEADING THE NATION ON AI SAFETY" while flanked by AG Letitia James and other lawmakers.")