New York against the risks of artificial intelligence

The state of New York has given a significant signal in the debate on artificial intelligence by approving the Raise Act, a law designed to prevent potentially catastrophic disasters caused by artificial intelligence systems. 

This regulation aims to avoid severe scenarios such as the death of over a hundred people or economic damages exceeding one billion euros, laying the groundwork for more rigorous control of technological innovation.

The tension between security and innovation in AI

The approval of the Raise Act represents an important achievement for those advocating for the regulation of artificial intelligence to protect public safety and civil rights. However, this victory is only symbolic and temporary, as the bill still needs to be approved by the governor of New York, Kathy Hochul, who may decide to amend it or even veto it.

The debate that emerges from this law reflects a deep contrast between the desire to implement effective safeguards against the potential risks of AI and the interest of tech companies, especially those in Silicon Valley, which instead push for maximum speed and freedom in the development of these technologies.

Despite the controversy, the Trump administration, which is currently in power, strongly supports innovation in the AI field and aims to standardize regulations at the federal level, preventing individual state authorities from adopting restrictive laws like that of New York. Consequently, a situation of conflict arises on multiple fronts, between a conservative approach and one focused on unrestrained advancement.

The words of Senator Gounardes

The senator from New York, Andrew Gounardes, co-sponsor of the Raise Act, clarified that the goal of the law is not to slow down innovation, but rather to promote its safe and responsible development. He emphasized that the time available to implement preventive measures is increasingly short, given the rapid technological progress.

According to Gounardes, AI experts believe that the risks associated with this technology are highly probable and alarming, and therefore it is urgent to adopt regulations that reduce the potential negative consequences. This position attempts to balance the need to innovate with the essential need to protect the community.

The response of the Silicon Valley

From the opposite front, some of the major figures in the technology sector have reacted harshly to the measure. Anjney Midha, partner at the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, called the Raise Act «yet another stupid state AI bill» capable only of penalizing the United States at a crucial moment, when global competition is becoming increasingly intense.

This criticism highlights one of the main fears: that overly stringent regulations could hinder the competitiveness of US companies compared to international competitors. In fact, there is a concern that excessive regulation could push large artificial intelligence labs to limit the availability of their models to specific regions, such as the state of New York.

The key innovations of the Raise Act

If the Raise Act were to come into effect, it would represent a milestone in the field of AI regulation in the United States, introducing for the first time a complex system of transparency standards and legal obligations aimed at the major artificial intelligence laboratories.

Transparency and security obligations

The law would require AI laboratories to publish detailed reports documenting the security measures adopted to protect the most advanced models. It would be a concrete commitment aimed at ensuring that the systems are designed and maintained in a way that prevents harmful incidents.

Furthermore, the laboratories would be required to immediately report any incident related to security, anomalous or risky behaviors of the models, as well as any thefts or unauthorized access by third parties. This transparency aims to create an effective control system and reduce the margins of abuse or malfunction.

Sanctions and impacts

The Raise Act provides for civil penalties of up to 30 million dollars in case of non-compliance with obligations, an important deterrent to ensure company compliance. However, this severity has raised some concerns about the economic repercussions, particularly on the availability of AI models in the New York market.

Democratic representative Alex Bores has, however, reassured on the matter, firmly asserting that there are no valid economic reasons why companies should not continue to offer their services in New York. Consequently, the risk that artificial intelligence will be excluded from this important market is considered minimal.

The future of control over artificial intelligence

The proposal of the Raise Act places the issue of artificial intelligence regulation at the center of the political and social debate in the United States. It contrasts two visions: on one side, the one that aims to protect the safety and rights of citizens and consumers through precise and binding rules; on the other, the one that supports the freedom to innovate without excessive restrictions.

Consequently, the path towards a balance between these two aspects is complex and constantly evolving. If the Raise Act becomes law, it could set an important precedent for the control of the most advanced technological developments, with the potential to raise the safety standard for the entire sector.

For all these reasons, it is essential to closely follow the regulatory evolution and promote a constructive dialogue between legislators, companies, and civil society. Only in this way can we ensure that the progress of artificial intelligence is a positive and safe resource for everyone.