BACKGROUND:

New York should lead on smart AI policy. The RAISE Act Assembly Bill A6453A, Assembly Bill A6578, and Senate Bill S1169 miss the mark. These bills aim to regulate artificial intelligence, but its current approach threatens to harm innovation and drive startups out of the state.

These bills would impose major penalties for unclear violations. While big companies might manage, early-stage startups that are still refining their models could be forced to shut down. Worse, these pieces of legislation define “critical harm” and violations in vague terms, creating confusion and legal risk. This uncertainty will discourage investment and slow responsible development.

Instead of targeting those who misuse AI to cause harm, it places the burden on developers who are building tools in good faith. That approach does little to improve consumer protections and could have a chilling effect on innovation.

Take action NOW to protect New York startups!