New York AI safety law takes effect for OpenAI and Anthropic

New York has launched a registration portal as it prepares to enforce significant new artificial intelligence safety legislation. Major frontier AI developers, including OpenAI and Anthropic, are required to register through this system by January 1, 2027.

The RAISE Act, which becomes active at the start of the year, requires companies generating over $500 million in annual revenue to publish safety frameworks online. These firms must also provide public transparency reports and disclose critical safety incidents within 72 hours.

Oversight will be handled by the Office of Digital Innovation, Governance, Integrity, and Trust (DIGIT). Companies found in violation face penalties of up to $1 million for a first offence and $3 million for repeat incidents, with the state also reserving the right to take action against those failing to register.

Governor Kathy Hochul addressed the measures during a press briefing on Tuesday. "Tech moguls tell us that their vision for AI is inevitable," she stated, adding, "They tell us get on board or get left behind …That any collateral damage is worth it as long as we win the race to the AI cliff."

Additionally, Governor Hochul introduced the New York Center for AI Responsibility and Research, located at Binghamton University, part of the State University of New York. Backed by $55 million in capital and donations, the centre will assess AI systems and assist DIGIT with safety framework reviews. "We’re building a national model for smart, sensible AI regulation, a model that puts communities above corporations and people above powerful technology," the Governor remarked.

New York has already implemented other AI-related statutes, including a requirement for companion AI operators to identify as bots and monitor for self-harm. Furthermore, a chatbot safety law concerning minors, which prohibits manipulative or deceptive interactions, is set to take effect on June 1, 2027.

Similar regulatory frameworks are being adopted in other states. California’s SB 53, effective since January, requires safety reporting and whistleblower protections, while Illinois’s SB 315, starting in 2027, will include requirements for independent safety audits.