AI whistleblowers join Google, Meta, OpenAI at NYC hearing

MANHATTAN -- Some of the biggest names in artificial intelligence are set to appear before the New York City Council on Monday as lawmakers consider a series of proposals aimed at regulating the rapidly expanding technology.

The hearing will begin with testimony from former AI researchers who have publicly raised concerns about the industry's direction. Among them is Jacob Coxon, a former Anthropic researcher who warned that artificial intelligence could become too powerful for humans to control. He will be joined by former OpenAI researcher Daniel Kokotajlo and former Google DeepMind researcher Alex Turner, all of whom left their companies after voicing concerns about the technology's development. Their appearance comes at the request of City Council Speaker Julie Menin.

"Whistleblowers are why the world learned of the potential dangers of AI, and they deserve to be protected, rewarded, and heard," the council speaker said in part of a prepared statement. "We are pleased that we were able to secure the participation of several leading whistleblowers who, for the first time, will be providing their testimony."

Menin also encouraged current and former employees of AI companies to share information with the council, either publicly or confidentially.