New York Governor Kathy Hochul is employing artificial intelligence to review the state's vast body of rules and regulations. The initiative aims to identify and eliminate outdated or redundant legislation, a process that Hochul stated would have taken five years through traditional methods.
During an interview on Bloomberg's "Odd Lots" podcast, Governor Hochul revealed that her administration used AI to analyze every rule, regulation, and policy within New York State. This technological approach allowed the review to be completed in a matter of months, a significant acceleration compared to the estimated five years required for a manual audit. Hochul highlighted specific examples of antiquated laws uncovered, including a $25 fee for hunting with a dog and a requirement for pregnant individuals to obtain a permit to work after midnight. The governor expressed her intention to remove these and other obsolete regulations to streamline government operations and make the state more supportive of its residents.
The application of AI for regulatory review follows New York's recent implementation of a one-year moratorium on new hyperscale data center projects. This pause is intended to allow time for establishing regulations concerning utility usage and environmental impact. Despite this moratorium, Governor Hochul emphasized her commitment to integrating AI into government functions, viewing it as a powerful tool for improving efficiency and modernizing state governance. She believes that AI can help create a government that is "on your side" rather than "on your back."
Hochul suggested that this AI-driven approach to legislative review could serve as a model for other levels of government. The initiative has also incorporated public recommendations, with over 4,000 suggestions received for review. The governor indicated that significant changes are planned based on the AI's findings, aiming to modernize New York's legal framework.
This move by Governor Hochul contrasts with the state's recent actions regarding AI infrastructure, but aligns with a broader trend of governments exploring AI for administrative tasks. While New York has paused new data center development, the governor's embrace of AI for internal processes suggests a nuanced approach to the technology, differentiating between its deployment for government efficiency and the expansion of its physical infrastructure. The state has also enacted legislation, the Responsible AI Safety and Education Act, requiring transparency and disclosures from developers of advanced AI models, with fines for non-compliance.
The AI's analysis of New York's regulations is expected to lead to substantial revisions, with the governor planning to implement dramatic changes. The governor stated that this process would have taken approximately five years with staff work, but was completed in a couple of months. This initiative underscores a growing interest in utilizing artificial intelligence to enhance public sector operations and address bureaucratic inefficiencies.