NYC bill would protect New Yorkers from rogue artificial intelligence

Source Domain: nypost.com

Gotham is fending off the rise of the machines.

A Queens pol is pushing new legislation aimed at preventing artificial intelligence from terminating New Yorkers’ jobs.

Councilwoman Julie Won’s bill would create a “first-of-its-kind,” Office of Artificial Intelligence Oversight within the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.

Councilwoman Julie Won (D-Queens) introduced a bill that she says would create a “first-of-its-kind” Office of Artificial Intelligence Oversight within the city’s Department of Consumer and Worker Protection. Gabriella Bass

The office would ensure AI bots and other algorithmic tools don’t exploit people or wrongfully cut them out of jobs, housing, credit and access to government and other services.

The legislation – which would embolden the new office to investigate complaints of wrongful AI use and recommend penalties and other sanctions – is already gaining early steam.

It has bipartisan support from Virgina Maloney (D-Manhattan), Frank Morano (R-Staten Island) and four other council members who’ve signed on as co-sponsors.

“New Yorkers don’t get hustled easily, and we’re not about to get hustled by a computer or an AI system,” said Won after introducing the bill Wednesday.

“My constituents are workers, immigrants, renters, small business owners … and they are more likely to be harmed by unchecked AI — and the least likely to have lawyers, lobbyists, or corporate resources to fight back,” added the Democrat, whose district includes Sunnyside and Astoria.

Won, who is running in a crowded field to replace retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez in New York’s 7th Congressional District (covering parts of Queens and Brooklyn), told The Post Friday she’s pushing the bill because “New Yorkers are already living in the AI economy, and right now they have no one in their corner”

The proposed new office would ensure AI bots and…

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