23 Daily — According to techcrunch.com, New York state is preparing to enforce its comprehensive AI safety law, the RAISE Act, in November 2026. The law mandates that major AI developers with annual revenues over $500 million, including OpenAI and Anthropic, must register by January 1, 2027, disclose their safety frameworks publicly, and report critical safety incidents within 72 hours. Non-compliance could result in significant fines.
RAISE Act imposes strict safety and transparency requirements
The RAISE Act requires large frontier AI developers to publish safety frameworks on their websites and report critical incidents promptly to ensure operational transparency and accountability. The Office of Digital Innovation, Governance, Integrity, and Trust (DIGIT) was established to enforce the law and oversee major AI labs. Penalties include fines up to
New York Center for AI Responsibility and Research to strengthen oversight
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the New York Center for AI Responsibility and Research at SUNY Binghamton University. The center will independently assess the safety, security, and functioning of advanced AI systems and assist DIGIT in reviewing companies' safety frameworks. Supported by $55 million in donations, the center aims to set a national model prioritizing community and human welfare over corporate power and technology.
Other AI safety laws and similar regulations in US states
Beyond the RAISE Act, New York has enacted laws requiring AI companion bots to disclose their artificial nature to users and monitor for suicidal or self-harm tendencies. A chatbot safety law protecting minors, restricting deceptive interactions and emotionally manipulative responses, will take effect June 1, 2027. California’s SB 53 and Illinois’s SB 315 have introduced comparable AI safety mandates, including safety framework publication, whistleblower protections, incident reporting, and independent safety audits.
Editor's take: Regulatory compliance as challenge and opportunity for startups
The RAISE Act represents a new phase of rigorous AI industry regulation. Startups must establish robust safety frameworks and elevate transparency to comply with regulations and avoid fines or damage to reputation. Proactively developing AI safety and compliance solutions offers a market opportunity to gain competitive advantage and build user trust.
Entrepreneurs can implement safety frameworks similar to those required by the RAISE Act, engage with oversight mechanisms such as DIGIT and the new research center, and enhance product safety testing and incident response strategies to effectively mitigate legal risks and support sustainable growth.