Creates a state office of algorithmic innovation to set policies and standards to ensure algorithms are safe, effective, fair, and ethical, and that the state is conducive to promoting algorithmic innovation.
NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY MEMORANDUM IN SUPPORT OF LEGISLATION submitted in accordance with Assembly Rule III, Sec 1(f)
 
BILL NUMBER: A7501
SPONSOR: Rajkumar
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the executive law, in relation to creating the office of
algorithmic innovation
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
This bill establishes the Office of Algorithmic Innovation to set stand-
ards for algorithms to ensure they are safe, effective, and ethical
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 amends the executive law by adding a new article 38-A estab-
lishing the Office of Algorithmic Innovation and defining its duties
Section 2 is the effective date
 
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ORIGINAL AND AMENDED VERSION (IF APPLICABLE):
Click hereto enter text.
 
JUSTIFICATION:
Society is increasingly using algorithms, including those used for Arti-
ficial Intelligence, for making decisions and automating work. Govern-
ment regulation of algorithms has not kept pace with their implementa-
tion. There is general consensus that government must regulate
algorithms, in order to address serious concerns of safety, efficacy,
and ethics. Experts have warned that, if left unchecked, faulty AI could
cause a catastrophic event. By establishing an Office of Algorithmic
Innovation, New York State can be at the forefront of creating a regula-
tory environment that promotes the responsible use of algorithms.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
To be determined
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have
become a law.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
7501
2023-2024 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 25, 2023
___________
Introduced by M. of A. RAJKUMAR -- read once and referred to the Commit-
tee on Science and Technology
AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to creating the office of
algorithmic innovation
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 38-A
2 to read as follows:
3 ARTICLE 38-A
4 OFFICE OF ALGORITHMIC INNOVATION
5 Section 860. Office of algorithmic innovation.
6 § 860. Office of algorithmic innovation. 1. There is hereby created a
7 state office of algorithmic innovation. The office shall be headed by a
8 director who shall be appointed by the governor. The office shall have
9 as its primary purpose the creation of policies and standards to ensure
10 algorithms are safe, effective, fair, and ethical, and that the state is
11 conducive to promoting algorithmic innovation. The office shall have the
12 power to set standards for algorithms used in any technology, be able to
13 audit all algorithms, and set statewide policy on the use of algorithms
14 and promotion of innovation. The director shall appoint staff and
15 perform such other functions to ensure the efficient operation of the
16 office within the amounts made available therefor by appropriation.
17 2. For the purpose of this article, "algorithm" shall mean any set of
18 computer programming instructions used to complete an objective, includ-
19 ing for the purpose of creating technology that performs its own deci-
20 sion making otherwise known as artificial intelligence.
21 § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall
22 have become a law.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD11400-02-3