In a decisive move to position New York as a forerunner in the artificial intelligence (AI) arena, Governor Kathy Hochul has made the state's stance known with remarks addressing the Trump Administration's call for an AI Action Plan. Joining forces with a first-in-the-nation consortium, New York aims to ensure AI development is not left solely to global tech behemoths but also benefits the public. According to a statement obtained by the Governor's office, Hochul asserted, “The United States is in a race with China and the rest of the world in the global AI revolution, and with our first-in-the-nation Empire AI Consortium, New York is leading the way. With our world-class innovation economy, energy grid investments, and protection of artists and creators intellectual property rights we stand ready to ensure that AI is a force for good, not just for huge global companies.”
New York's AI comments emphasize the significance of intellectual property, research security, and energy innovation. Hochul's administration is pushing for a collaborative effort with the federal government to achieve a sustainable and competitive AI landscape. The Governor pointed to the Empire State’s robust innovation economy, fortified grid investments, and commitment to protecting intellectual property as keys to navigating the future of AI.
The Governor's agenda leans heavily on technological development, highlighted by last year's appointment of IBM CEO Arvind Krishna and Girls Who Code CEO Dr. Tarika Barrett to the Emerging Technology Advisory Board. Recommendations from this board are shaping the state’s tech policies. In efforts to ensure that the state remains at the forefront of AI and emerging technology, New York State Chief Cyber Officer Colin Ahern relayed, “New York is strong in industry talent, academic expertise, and innovative ideas. We want to ensure those resources strengthen our state and nation and are not siphoned off by our adversaries. Strong research security and intellectual property protections will help make sure the benefits of AI help New Yorkers and Americans,” as noted by the Governor's office.
These strategies are part of a broader economic transformation, with recent State investments driving semiconductor, green technology, and energy storage sectors. The Governor previously championed New York’s historic Green CHIPS legislation and announced a partnership to bring next-generation chip research to NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex. Further solidifying New York’s stake in the game, Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight stated, "New York will continue to leverage our thriving innovation ecosystem to develop and commercialize AI that creates quality jobs, attracts additional investments, and further strengthens our economic security," according to the same press release.
Concrete examples of New York’s commitment to tech advancements include GlobalFoundries' $11.6 billion expansion and Micron's colossal $100 billion investment in a Central New York megafab campus. These initiatives promise to create thousands of jobs and generate significant economic ripple effects across the state.
