Brian Romero supports AI oversight with stronger state-level enforcement

Up next, we have Brian Romero on Zoom.

Brian, if you're ready, unmute and begin.

Hi, can you all hear me?

We hear you.

Great.

Good morning, Council Speaker Menon and members of the Council.

My name is Brian Romero, and I am the Democratic nominee for New York State Assembly District 34.

As the former chief of staff to Senator Kristen Gonzalez, I have front row seat as New York tried to keep regulation moving alongside a technology that is evolving at an extraordinary speed.

Thank you for the opportunity to testify today.

As AI rapidly reshapes public services and life as we know it, the council and subsequently the state must lead with bold, enforceable oversight that protects workers, tenants, and immigrant communities like the ones in AD34.

First, I appreciate the goal of Intro 2602.

Responsible AI governance requires clear boundaries and transparency.

However, I will note that proposals around emergency shutdown mechanisms or kill switches and in general enforcement of that scale is certainly best suited for the state level and federal level.

It is a mechanism legislation that I have drafted to introduce when we resume session next year.

I'm glad that the governor has already signaled openness to these short-term kinds of statewide mitigation frameworks, but obviously we need more long-term solutions to the lack of guardrails.

I support the intent of 2601, but it could use some more enforcement teeth.

2601 can be amended to include strict financial penalties.

I don't think that they suffice as they currently stand.

and a mechanism for being terminated from city contracts if vendors repeatedly fail compliance audits or deploy harmful discriminatory AI systems.

Without real consequences, oversight is simply a recommendation.

Meaningful consequences for repeated violations can help to improve that oversight.

Finally, effective tech policy should certainly include the council moving forward on bold and progressive legislation that protects New Yorkers from automated harm, including in our workplaces.

So I urge the council to therefore discharge and bring to a full vote Intro 213, or Ban the Scan, and the Delivery Protection Act.

I also look forward to exploring how to expand welfare protection at the state level.

Thank you so much.

We need bold action from the council and the state to show that we are giving this the scrutiny, the more clarity, and the bold action that it deserves.

Thank you.

Thank you, Brian, and we look forward to continuing the conversation, and we appreciate you taking the time and look forward to reading the rest of your testimony.

I want to...

Thank you, Sharon.

You're welcome.

I want to see David Carter.

Oh, you already testified.

Perfect.

And Randall Fox, if you're in the room.

All right.

Well, then we thank this panel for being here, and we appreciate you taking the time and your thoughtful testimony this evening.

Thank you so much.

We're going to call...