Executives from OpenAI, Anthropic and Alphabet's Google agreed to appear at an Oct. 5 New York City Council hearing after being warned subpoenas could follow if they declined, according to Council Speaker Julie Menin's office. Meta Platforms had already promised to send a senior executive before those warnings were issued. OpenAI said it had no comment. Anthropic, Google and Meta did not provide comment right away when asked.
Menin's office said the Council subpoenaed SpaceX's AI unit after it did not respond to the invitation to attend. A company representative did not answer a request for comment straightaway.
All 51 councilmembers have been invited to take part in the questioning. The agenda includes safeguards around fast-moving AI systems, how those systems could affect New Yorkers, and broad pathways for legislation, Menin's office said. In addition to company executives, the Council says it has secured testimony from experts in AI safety, technology and consumer protection.
She framed the stakes starkly, noting these companies have a significant footprint in the city and "collectively employ tens of thousands of New Yorkers," adding that the public deserves answers under oath about the Council's proposed legislation.
In unsettled times, steady habits help protect and grow your savings. Join Briefs Finance CEO Jaspreet Singh on September 29th for a FREE live investor workshop, How to Profit From A Dollar That's Losing its Value, where he shows how we're spotting investment opportunities as the dollar falls. Save your spot.
Concern around advanced AI has been building after prominent voices warned about the pace and risks of development. This month, former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon resigned, saying AI "could kill us all by the end of the decade." For New Yorkers, the hearing and the bills on the table signal where local guardrails could land, including what redress might exist if an AI system causes harm and what safety checks might be required before tools are used in the city.
A calm, long term approach can keep your financial goals on track. Our CEO Jaspreet Singh is hosting a FREE live investor workshop, How to Profit From A Dollar That's Losing its Value, on September 29th. Sign up free to join him live.
