Governor Hochul Discusses AI, Tech Policy, and Data Centers

New York Governor Kathy Hochul recently engaged in a rapid-fire discussion covering a broad spectrum of technology policy issues, highlighting her administration's proactive stance. A central theme was the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence, with the Governor expressing a desire for AI to be developed with ethical considerations at its core, aiming for it to be "less evil." This reflects a growing concern among policymakers regarding the societal impact of advanced AI systems. The conversation also touched upon significant state-level initiatives, such as New York's involvement in a multi-state settlement with Meta to impose restrictions on how teenagers interact with social media platforms. Governor Hochul is a vocal proponent of such measures, despite potential implications for online anonymity due to widespread age verification. Furthermore, the discussion included the state's temporary halt on data center construction, with the Governor outlining her criteria for future approvals, and challenges related to enforcing laws against 3D-printed gun parts.