Common Sense Media Applauds New York Governor Hochul's Proposals for Youth Mental Health and AI Safety
NEW YORK, Jan. 14, 2025—In her fourth State of the State address, Governor Kathy Hochul unveiled a broad policy agenda to make New York safer, more affordable, and more livable, and included plans to develop protections for the safe use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the best interest of kids and families. In response, James P. Steyer, founder and CEO of Common Sense Media, made the following statement:
"The requirement for AI companions to implement safety features to protect against self-harm is particularly vital. We know that young people often turn to technology when seeking mental health support.
"Similarly, the proposal to mandate reminders of an AI's non-human nature establishes transparency as a critical baseline consumer protection, as these technologies use psychological techniques to mimic human relationships. As these platforms become more sophisticated, maintaining this clarity is crucial for protecting mental health and fostering healthy human connections.
"Most importantly, Governor Hochul's commitment to updating New York's penal code to address AI-generated CSAM shows real foresight in protecting children from emerging technological threats. This proposal recognizes that the exploitation of minors is equally harmful whether facilitated by traditional or artificial means.
"Common Sense Media strongly supports these proposals and calls on other states to follow New York's lead in developing guardrails to support AI safety. As we navigate the rapid advancement of AI technology, we must ensure our laws and regulations evolve to protect our communities, particularly our children, while fostering responsible innovation. We look forward to working with Governor Hochul and New York State legislators to refine these important protections, and we stand ready to support other states in developing similar frameworks to safeguard their residents in the AI era."
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