Res. No. 746
Resolution calling on the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, the advanced artificial intelligence licensing act.
By Council Members Williams, Menin, Louis and Riley
Whereas, Artificial intelligence (“AI”) is a transformative technology that enables computers and machines to simulate human learning, comprehension, problem-solving, and decision-making to complete tasks traditionally performed by people; and
Whereas, AI is a rapidly changing field that has seen huge developments in recent years, with the proliferation of chatbot technologies such as OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Google’s Gemini and image generation tools such as MidJourney; and
Whereas, Some AI systems, known as advanced AI systems, can autonomously perform functions traditionally requiring human intelligence, including independently learning from and adapting to new situations and performing functions that require cognitive processes for each specific task; and
Whereas, With these recent developments, AI has become increasingly integrated into essential areas of daily life, including healthcare, employment, law enforcement, and consumer services; and
Whereas, The field of AI has grown exponentially, with the percentage of companies using AI in at least one business function increasing from 47 percent in 2018 to 72 percent in 2024, according to McKinsey’s 2024 Global Survey, and the number of automated decision-making tools used by New York City (“NYC”) agencies rising from 16 in 2020 to 46 in 2023, as reported by the NYC Office of Technology and Innovation pursuant to Local Law 35 of 2022; and
Whereas, AI is not without risks, as advanced AI systems may operate without clear guidelines or accountability, leading to potential breaches of privacy, unfair outcomes, and unintended harm, such as in 2023 when Rite Aid’s AI facial recognition technology wrongly identified people of color as shoplifters; and
Whereas, In addition to unintended harms, when in the hands of bad actors, AI systems can be exploited for malicious purposes, including mimicking an individual’s voice to create a highly realistic digital forgery using AI, known as a deepfake, that is then used to commit fraud or deceive loved ones; and
Whereas, The rapid development of AI has outpaced the establishment of adequate safeguards, raising concerns about safety, fairness, and accountability, leading some advocacy groups in NYC to call for a total moratorium on high-risk AI systems until protective standards are established; and
Whereas, In response to the tremendous growth in the field of AI, it is necessary to establish a framework to respond quickly to changes in the evolving AI landscape while safeguarding New Yorkers from potential harms; and
Whereas, A.3356, otherwise known as the “advanced artificial intelligence licensing act,” introduced in the 2024-2025 session by New York State (NYS) Assembly Member Clyde Vanel, proposes a comprehensive framework for regulating advanced AI systems; and
Whereas, A.3356 would empower the NYS Department of State to regulate AI systems, establish an artificial intelligence ethical code of conduct, require registration and licensing for high-risk AI systems, and prohibit the development and operation of dangerous AI systems, such as autonomous weapons and predictive systems that act on anticipated future behaviors; and
Whereas, This legislation would protect New Yorkers from potential risks associated with advanced AI systems while fostering accountability, transparency, and fairness in the development and use of such systems; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the New York State Legislature pass, and the Governor to sign, the advanced artificial intelligence licensing act.
EB
LS #18605
1/28/2025 12:05PM