Full Breakdown
New York Rolls Out RAISE Act to Regulate Frontier AI Systems
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Statewide Implementation of AI Safety Rules
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the next phase of the Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act, requiring large “frontier” artificial-intelligence developers to register with a new state portal beginning in November. After registration, the law will take effect early next year, obligating developers to post publicly-available safety frameworks, report any critical safety incident within 72 hours, and submit quarterly assessments of catastrophic-risk scenarios. The Office of Digital Innovation, Governance, Integrity and Trust (DIGIT) will receive and oversee all filings, and penalties can reach $1 million for a first violation and $3 million for subsequent violations.
Background & Context
The RAISE Act was signed by Hochul in December 2025 and amended in March 2026 to align with California’s AI framework. The legislation arrives amid heightened public concern over rapidly evolving AI capabilities and a federal administration that has downplayed such risks. President Donald Trump has publicly dismissed AI safety efforts as a “hoax,” prompting state leaders to position New York as a proactive regulator in the absence of federal action.
Data & Statistics
- Implementation budget: $10.4 million for IT systems, staffing, and compliance infrastructure.
- Registration trigger: Companies with annual revenues > $500 million must register starting November 2026.
- Reporting timeline: Critical incidents reported within 72 hours; quarterly catastrophic-risk assessments filed thereafter.
- Penalties: Up to $1 million for a first violation; up to $3 million for repeat violations.
Official Statements & Responses
Governor Hochul framed the rollout as a safeguard for New Yorkers, emphasizing that state action is necessary while the federal government remains “completely incapable” of regulating AI. Attorney General Letitia James echoed this stance, pledging vigorous enforcement and encouraging whistleblowers to report unsafe practices. The administration also announced the appointment of Marc Gilman as deputy director for the RAISE Act, marking the first full-time hire for DIGIT.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We’ll look closely at additional ways to build on the RAISE Act and strengthen our AI laws,” — Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York
- “The extraordinary promise of artificial intelligence is not an excuse for big tech to break the law, ignore serious safety risks or put New Yorkers in danger,” — Letitia James, Attorney General of New York
What's Next
- Registration portal launch: Expected in November 2026, allowing developers to begin the compliance process.
- Inter-state coordination: New York is working with California, Illinois and Massachusetts to share best practices and potentially harmonize AI oversight.
- Future reporting: DIGIT will issue an annual public report summarizing incident filings and recommending legislative refinements, with the first report due after the initial year of implementation.