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.

Council members are then expected to hear from executives representing Anthropic, OpenAI, Meta and Google. The council expects testimony from Anthropic's Logan Graham, OpenAI's Morgan Dwyer, Meta's Shane Cahill and Google's Alice Friend.

The hearing is part of the council's review of 10 proposed bills designed to establish safeguards around artificial intelligence. Among the proposals are requirements that AI systems be capable of being shut down by a human operator through a "kill switch," along with fines of up to $25,000 for violations. Lawmakers are also considering what they describe as a first-in-the-nation whistleblower program that would extend protections to municipal employees, contractors and subcontractors who report suspected wrongdoing related to AI development. Another proposal would require the city to track and report how artificial intelligence is affecting its workforce, including jobs that have been eliminated or displaced.

One major company will not be represented. According to the council, Elon Musk's SpaceXAI did not respond to an invitation to participate, prompting lawmakers to issue a subpoena seeking testimony from company representatives. Speaker Menin has indicated she is considering legal action to compel compliance.

The hearing comes as policymakers at multiple levels of government debate how best to regulate artificial intelligence. Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration has already banned generative AI in public elementary and middle schools. Gov. Kathy Hochul is also pursuing a statewide framework for AI regulation. The companies appearing before the council have significant and growing operations in New York City.

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