Sen. Gounardes: Governor Hochul Takes Next Step to Advance Landmark AI Safety Protections
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 21, 2026
New York State Senator Andrew Gounardes issued the following statement after Governor Kathy Hochul announced next steps to advance the Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act, New York’s nation-leading AI safety law:
"AI companies are playing Russian Roulette with humanity's future. The federal government may bury its head in the sand on this life-or-death issue, but here in New York, we're acting decisively to ensure our safety comes before Big Tech's profits.
"I passed the RAISE Act to ensure New York holds the biggest AI developers to strict safety and transparency standards. When it comes to advanced AI, we can afford nothing less. Today's announcement is an important step toward protecting the future of New Yorkers and of all people, and it certainly won't be the last—we've got more work to do and my sleeves are already rolled up to get to it. I applaud Governor Hochul for taking action."
Background:
While AI drives tremendous innovation across New York—from healthcare to climate solutions—there is growing consensus among experts that the policy window to address severe risks may close soon. One recent report warned that "the opportunity to establish effective AI governance frameworks may not remain open indefinitely."
The International AI Safety Report—led by a panel of expert advisors from 30 countries—has warned that near-future AI systems may result in “large-scale labour market impacts, AI-enabled hacking or biological attacks, and society losing control over general-purpose AI,” among other potential risks to public safety.
The Responsible AI Safety and Education Act (RAISE) Act (S6953/A6453) requires the largest AI companies to create basic safety and security protocols for severe risks such as the assisting in the creation of bioweapons or carrying out automated criminal activity. The bill has passed both houses of the New York State Legislature and has received the Governor’s signature last year.
Earlier this year, Senator Gounardes introduced two bills to build on the RAISE Act. One would require independent third party audit of frontier AI models (S10373). The other (S10456) would strengthen the mandatory safety frameworks that are designed to prevent AI models from contributing to catastrophic outcomes, including cyberattacks on critical infrastructure and the development of weapons of mass destruction.
Press Contact:
Billy Richling
Communications Director
State Senator Andrew Gounardes
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