NY Office of Algorithmic Innovation Act

Summary

Establishes an Office of Algorithmic Innovation in New York to create policies and set standards that ensure algorithms are safe, effective, and ethical, and that the state is conducive to promoting algorithmic innovation.

Provides the Office the power to set standards, audit, and establish statewide policy on algorithms used in technology.

Amends the executive law to create the Office of Algorithmic Innovation.

S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K ________________________________________________________________________

7501

2023-2024 Regular Sessions

I N A S S E M B L Y

May 25, 2023 ___________

Introduced by M. of A. RAJKUMAR -- read once and referred to the Commit- tee on Science and Technology

AN ACT to amend the executive law, in relation to creating the office of algorithmic innovation

THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM- BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

Creates a state office to set algorithmic standards, audit algorithms, and promote innovation.

Section 1. The executive law is amended by adding a new article 38-A to read as follows:

ARTICLE 38-A OFFICE OF ALGORITHMIC INNOVATION SECTION 860. OFFICE OF ALGORITHMIC INNOVATION. § 860. OFFICE OF ALGORITHMIC INNOVATION. 1. THERE IS HEREBY CREATED A STATE OFFICE OF ALGORITHMIC INNOVATION. THE OFFICE SHALL BE HEADED BY A DIRECTOR WHO SHALL BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR. THE OFFICE SHALL HAVE AS ITS PRIMARY PURPOSE THE CREATION OF POLICIES AND STANDARDS TO ENSURE ALGORITHMS ARE SAFE, EFFECTIVE, FAIR, AND ETHICAL, AND THAT THE STATE IS CONDUCIVE TO PROMOTING ALGORITHMIC INNOVATION. THE OFFICE SHALL HAVE THE POWER TO SET STANDARDS FOR ALGORITHMS USED IN ANY TECHNOLOGY, BE ABLE TO AUDIT ALL ALGORITHMS, AND SET STATEWIDE POLICY ON THE USE OF ALGORITHMS AND PROMOTION OF INNOVATION. THE DIRECTOR SHALL APPOINT STAFF AND PERFORM SUCH OTHER FUNCTIONS TO ENSURE THE EFFICIENT OPERATION OF THE OFFICE WITHIN THE AMOUNTS MADE AVAILABLE THEREFOR BY APPROPRIATION.

Defines "algorithm" as computer programming instructions for decision-making AI technology. Takes effect ninety days post-enactment.

1. FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE, "ALGORITHM" SHALL MEAN ANY SET OF COMPUTER PROGRAMMING INSTRUCTIONS USED TO COMPLETE AN OBJECTIVE, INCLUD- ING FOR THE PURPOSE OF CREATING TECHNOLOGY THAT PERFORMS ITS OWN DECI- SION MAKING OTHERWISE KNOWN AS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. § 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law.

EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets [ ] is old law to be omitted. LBD11400-02-3