New York state government agencies will have to conduct reviews and publish reports that detail how they're using artificial intelligence software, under a new law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Hochul, a Democrat, signed the bill last week after it was passed by state lawmakers earlier this year.

The law requires state agencies to perform assessments of any software that uses algorithms, computational models or AI techniques, and then submit those reviews to the governor and top legislative leaders along with posting them online.

It also bars the use of AI in certain situations, such as an automated decision on whether someone receives unemployment benefits or child-care assistance, unless the system is being consistently monitored by a human.

WATCH | Canada invests in Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute: 

Canada launches AI watchdog to oversee the technology’s safe development and use

Amid rapid global advances and deployment of artificial intelligence technologies, the federal government has invested millions to combine the minds of three existing institutes into one that can keep an eye on potential dangers ahead.

Law shields workers from limiting of hours due to AI

State workers would also be shielded from having their hours or job duties limited because of AI under the law, addressing a major concern that critics have raised against generative AI. 

State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez, a Democrat who sponsored the bill, called the law an important step in setting up some guardrails in how the emerging technology is used in state government.

Experts have long been calling for more regulation of generative AI as the technology becomes more widespread.

Some of the biggest concerns raised by critics, apart from job security, include security concerns around personal information, and that AI could amplify misinformation due to its propensity to invent facts, repeat false statements and its ability to create close to photo-realistic images based on prompts.