New York Moves to Tighten AI Safety Rules as Hochul Targets Major Developers

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New York Governor Kathy Hochul unveils major AI safety steps as the state moves to regulate major AI developers, enforce reporting rules and protect New Yorkers from emerging technology risks.

New York is taking another major step on AI safety as Governor Kathy Hochul announces plans to regulate major AI developers and strengthen protections for New Yorkers. Starting in November, large frontier AI developers will be directed to register with the state and prepare for new transparency, safety and incident-reporting requirements under the RAISE Act.

Crucially, the law requires critical safety incidents to be reported within 72 hours from January 2027. Meanwhile, Hochul is exploring further measures to build on the law. The move also expands New York’s broader technology oversight as federal action on AI safety remains limited.

New York Moves to Tighten AI Safety Rules as Hochul Targets Major Developers

New York is moving into the next phase of its Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act, requiring large frontier artificial intelligence developers to register with the state and prepare for new transparency, safety and incident-reporting obligations.

Governor Kathy Hochul announced the measures on September 21, 2026, as New York expands its regulatory framework for advanced AI systems. The state says the approach is designed to improve oversight of increasingly powerful AI technologies while giving regulators greater visibility into potential safety risks.

The developments also come as New York prepares for the United Nations General Assembly, placing AI governance among the wider international policy discussions taking place in the state.

What will New York’s RAISE Act require from AI developers?

The RAISE Act establishes several obligations for large frontier AI developers operating within its scope. From November, companies will be directed to register with New York and prepare for the requirements that take effect from January 2027.

Under the legislation, covered developers must establish and publish safety and transparency frameworks on their websites. They must also report critical safety incidents to the state’s new Office of Digital Innovation, Governance, Integrity and Trust, known as DIGIT, within 72 hours.

The legislation further requires quarterly assessments of catastrophic risks and periodic disclosure statements. Developers will also be required to pay assessments associated with the state’s oversight framework.

The law gives members of the public a mechanism to submit suspected critical AI safety incidents to DIGIT, which can transmit reports to other government authorities where appropriate.

Why is DIGIT important to New York’s AI strategy?

DIGIT is being established within the New York State Department of Financial Services (DFS) and will play a central role in implementing and administering the RAISE Act.

The office is expected to monitor information supplied by frontier AI developers, assess emerging risks and contribute to future regulatory decisions. It will also publish an annual report covering incident reports received, observations concerning frontier model safety and potential changes to the RAISE Act.

Governor Hochul has now appointed Marc Gilman as Deputy Director for the RAISE Act. He becomes the first full-time hire of the new DIGIT office.

Gilman previously served as General Counsel and Vice President of Compliance at Theta Lake, where his responsibilities included regulatory engagement, artificial intelligence, privacy and cybersecurity matters. He has also taught technology and financial-services law at Fordham University School of Law.

When will the new AI safety requirements take effect?

New York is using a phased approach to implementation. Registration and preparation activity for large frontier AI developers will begin in November, while the state’s more comprehensive compliance requirements are scheduled to begin in January 2027.

The state is using the period before full implementation to build regulatory capacity and recruit additional staff. DFS personnel with expertise in technology regulation, cybersecurity and AI are already involved, while further staff are expected to join DIGIT.

This approach gives state regulators time to establish processes for receiving safety reports, reviewing developer disclosures and managing information about emerging risks.

How is New York connecting AI regulation with data centres?

The AI initiative is also linked to New York’s wider approach to the infrastructure supporting advanced computing.

Earlier this year, Hochul signed an Executive Order establishing a temporary moratorium on new hyperscale data centre construction. The state is using the pause to develop a regulatory framework covering issues including electricity demand, environmental impacts, energy-grid pressures, ratepayer interests and effects on local communities.

Empire State Development has also introduced a statewide Host Community Investment Framework for Data Center Development. The framework is intended to provide local governments with guidance when negotiating with technology companies and data centre developers.

For the travel and tourism sector, the issue has a broader relevance because large-scale digital infrastructure can influence electricity demand, land use, local investment and regional development, particularly in communities competing for major technology projects.

What could New York’s next AI regulations mean?

Governor Hochul said she intends to explore additional measures in the coming months as AI technology develops. The administration’s stated objective is to strengthen safeguards beyond the requirements already established under the RAISE Act.

The next phase will therefore focus not only on implementation but also on how the regulatory system evolves alongside increasingly capable AI models.

With DIGIT becoming operational, New York is establishing a dedicated state-level mechanism for collecting information from major AI developers and reporting on frontier AI safety. The effectiveness of the framework will depend on how the registration, reporting, assessment and enforcement mechanisms operate once the requirements begin taking effect.

Rapid advances in frontier AI are increasing pressure on governments to understand emerging safety risks and improve corporate accountability. Answer: New York is implementing the RAISE Act, requiring large frontier AI developers to register, publish safety frameworks, report critical incidents within 72 hours and submit quarterly catastrophic-risk assessments. Reason: The state says stronger transparency can give regulators, law-enforcement partners and the public better insight into developing AI risks. Starting in November, companies will begin the registration process, while full compliance requirements take effect in January 2027. Governor Hochul is also considering additional measures as New York develops its broader AI safety framework.

“New York’s move to strengthen AI safety demonstrates how governments can respond to rapidly evolving technology while maintaining a clear focus on transparency and accountability. The RAISE Act introduces important reporting and oversight mechanisms for major AI developers, while the new DIGIT office provides a dedicated structure for implementation. From a global travel and tourism perspective, responsible AI governance is increasingly relevant because artificial intelligence is becoming deeply integrated into airlines, airports, hotels, destination management and visitor services. Stronger safety standards can help build confidence as the industry adopts increasingly powerful AI tools.

Governor Hochul’s announcement therefore represents an important development in the wider conversation about responsible innovation, digital trust and technology governance. Continued cooperation between governments, technology companies and industry stakeholders will be essential as AI capabilities continue to develop.” says Anup Kuamr Keshan, Editor-in-Chief, TTW

New York is moving ahead with its AI safety agenda as Governor Kathy Hochul advances implementation of the RAISE Act and prepares to regulate major AI developers. The framework places new obligations on large frontier AI developers, including registration, public safety and transparency frameworks, 72-hour reporting of critical safety incidents and quarterly catastrophic-risk assessments.

From January 2027, companies will face the law’s full compliance requirements and reporting obligations to the state’s DIGIT Office. Meanwhile, Marc Gilman has been appointed Deputy Director for RAISE Act implementation, strengthening the state’s regulatory capacity. Hochul has also signalled that further measures could follow as AI technology develops. Together, these steps position New York to expand oversight of frontier AI while seeking greater transparency and accountability. The initiative also forms part of the state’s wider technology policy, alongside its separate approach to regulating hyperscale data-centre development and its potential effects on communities, energy and the environment.