Google, Meta, OpenAI among firms appearing at NYC AI hearing

MANHATTAN (WABC) -- Major technology companies are set to testify before the New York City Council on Monday as lawmakers examine the risks artificial intelligence may pose to New Yorkers and weigh a package of proposed regulations.

Google, Meta, OpenAI and Anthropic are among the companies scheduled to appear before the council during a hearing focused on the rapidly evolving technology. City lawmakers are considering 10 pieces of legislation aimed at establishing guardrails around the use and impact of AI and creating mechanisms to hold companies accountable if they fail to comply with the proposed rules.

The hearing comes amid growing debate over the pace of AI development and concerns about its potential consequences. Former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon is expected to testify alongside other representatives.

Last week, Mayor Zohran Mamdani raised concerns about the risks associated with artificial intelligence ahead of the hearing.

"It feels as if the very place where we should be hearing urgency and decisiveness is where we are years behind even understanding the scale and the scope of what is being developed by these companies. I continue to hope that there will be a very different approach taken to the question of AI than simply couching it in the language of an arms race with China," Mamdani said.