New York launches registration portal for AI companies: RAISE Act takes effect

New York's new AI oversight regime

On November 10, New York State opened a registration portal for large developers of advanced artificial intelligence systems. Under the RAISE Act, companies like OpenAI and Anthropic must register by January 1, 2027, when the law takes effect. It applies to developers with annual revenue over $500 million: they must publish safety frameworks on their websites, report critical safety incidents within 72 hours, and release public transparency reports about their models.

Who will oversee enforcement

Enforcement will be handled by the newly created Office of Digital Innovation, Integrity and Trust (DIGIT). Fines reach $1 million per violation and $3 million for subsequent ones; the state may take enforcement action against companies that fail to register on the portal, though an administration representative declined to give specifics. At the same time, Governor Kathy Hochul launched the Center for AI Accountability and Research at Binghamton University (SUNY): the center will independently assess the safety and performance of advanced AI systems and, together with DIGIT, review companies' safety frameworks. The center was announced in January with $55 million in donations and capital funds.

Context: not the state's only law

The RAISE Act is not New York's only measure. Since last year, the state has required AI companion operators to regularly tell users that they are talking to a bot and to take reasonable steps to detect suicidal thoughts and self-harm. In October, Hochul signed a separate law on chatbot safety for minors: it restricts deceptive human-like behavior, emotionally manipulative or sycophantic responses, and encouragement of behaviors such as suicide or eating disorders; it takes effect on June 1, 2027. Other states have passed similar laws: California's SB 53 has been in effect since January and requires AI labs to publish safety frameworks, protect whistleblowers, and report incidents within 15 days, while Illinois' SB 315, with similar requirements and independent audits, will take effect in early 2027.

The governor's position

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Hochul said: “Tech magnates tell us that their vision of AI is inevitable. They tell us: get on board or get left behind… That any collateral damage is justified as long as we win the race to the AI cliff.” According to her, the state is building “a national model of sensible AI regulation, a model that puts communities above corporations and people above powerful technologies.”