What happened
On 10 November 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul launched the New York Center for AI Responsibility and Research (NYCAIRR), based at SUNY Binghamton University, a first-of-its-kind statewide effort bringing together 80+ researchers (interim co-directors Greg Morrisett and Jeannette Wing) to use Empire AI compute to independently test and evaluate advanced/frontier AI systems for safety and security. The Governor's new Office of Digital Innovation, Governance, Integrity and Trust (DIGIT) simultaneously opened its online 'RAISE Portal' for large frontier AI developers to register with New York State by January 1, 2027 and (from January) to publish safety frameworks, implementing the RAISE Act's safety, transparency and reporting obligations.
Why it matters
This operationalises New York's already-enacted RAISE Act into a concrete compliance deadline (large frontier AI developers must register by 1 Jan 2027 and publish safety frameworks), while creating state-run independent AI safety-testing infrastructure — a model other states may emulate in the absence of federal action. It materially affects any frontier AI developer operating in New York and shapes the emerging state-level AI testing/registration landscape.
Action needed
Large frontier AI developers operating in New York must register in the DIGIT RAISE Portal by 1 January 2027 and prepare to publish safety frameworks on their websites from January; all frontier developers should review RAISE safety, transparency and reporting obligations and monitor NYCAIRR's independent testing/evaluation expectations.