Public Hearing: To discuss risks, solutions, and best practices with respect to the use of artificial intelligence in consequential or high-risk contexts, and related issues, such as classification of the types and risk levels of AI uses

Senate Standing Committee on Internet and Technology
Chair: Senator Kristen Gonzalez
Public Hearing: To discuss risks, solutions, and best practices with respect to the use of artificial intelligence in consequential or high-risk contexts, and related issues, such as classification of the types and risk levels of AI uses, frameworks for auditing AI tools for bias, and transparency improvements
Place: Senate Hearing Room, 250 Broadway, 19th Floor, New York, NY
Time: 10:00 A.M.
Contact: Elan Silver (718) 765-6674
Media Contact: Katherine Veloso (718) 765-6674
ORAL TESTIMONY BY INVITATION ONLY

SUBJECT: Regulation of high-risk use of artificial intelligence in the private sector 

PURPOSE: To discuss risks, solutions, and best practices with respect to the use of artificial intelligence in consequential or high-risk contexts, and related issues, such as classification of the types and risk levels of AI uses, frameworks for auditing AI tools for bias, and transparency improvements.

In the past few years, the field of artificial intelligence (“AI”) has advanced greatly, attracting attention and massive investment. While the benefits of AI can be great, and advancements in AI have the potential to transform industries, AI systems are imperfect. Many companies that offer AI products caution users to check important information for errors, and even when a system is functioning as intended and the data is appropriate, AI systems can make connections between data points that resemble or reproduce discriminatory bias. For example, AI systems used in mortgage applications may draw on data like the location of the property, name of applicants, cost of the property, and other factors that correlate with demographics, replicating the discriminatory bias present in training data. These systems can create latent errors that go unnoticed for months or years, requiring expensive and time-consuming corrective action.

With so much at risk from the ongoing use of these systems with instances of documented harm, the Senate Standing Committee on Internet and Technology is interested in further discussing these risks and identifying solutions. This hearing will provide an opportunity for lawmakers to hear from a diverse set of stakeholders and explore: regulatory frameworks for AI, what uses of AI should be considered high or low risk, how companies manage AI risk today, specific risks posed by large language models, frameworks for auditing AI tools for automated bias, how the transparency of AI tools can be improved, and other related topics. The goal of this hearing will be to inform the state legislature on best practices to adopt and challenges to address in regulating artificial intelligence ahead of the next legislative session.

Persons wishing to present pertinent testimony to the Committee on Internet and Technology at the above hearing should complete and return the enclosed reply form as soon as possible. It is important that the reply form be fully completed and returned so that persons may be notified in the event of emergency postponement or cancellation.

Oral testimony will be limited to 5 minutes duration. Ten copies of any prepared testimony should be submitted at the hearing registration desk. The Committee on Internet and Technology would appreciate advance receipt of prepared statements.

Attendees and participants at any legislative public hearing should be aware that these proceedings are video recorded. Their likenesses may be included in any video coverage shown on television or the internet.

In order to meet the needs of those who may have a disability, the Committee Internet and Technology, in accordance with the Senate’s policy of non-discrimination on the basis of disability, as well as the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), has made its facilities and services available to all individuals with disabilities. For individuals with disabilities, accommodations will be provided, upon reasonable request, to afford such individuals access and admission to State Legislature facilities and activities.