New York Launches First State-Run AI Testing Program

New York is stepping in where the federal government has largely stepped back, launching the nation's first state-run AI testing program. Governor Kathy Hochul announced the initiative on Tuesday, placing independent researchers in charge of evaluating AI companies' work rather than trusting the industry to police itself. "The stakes are too high to simply take AI companies at their word," Hochul said in a press release.

The New York Center for AI Responsibility and Research at Binghamton University will run the program, with more than 80 New York scientists contributing. The center will draw on computing power from Empire AI, the state's $500 million public-private AI partnership.

Researchers will test advanced AI systems, examine their risks and supply evidence to guide public officials' decisions, according to Hochul's office. The center will also explore responsible AI use in fields such as medicine and scientific discovery.

One gap remains: the program can only study what companies disclose publicly. The RAISE Act, signed by Hochul last year, requires large AI developers to register with the state by January 1, 2027, after which they must publish safety frameworks and transparency reports and report critical safety incidents within 72 hours. The law won't cover unreleased models, but it will compel more disclosure.