UPDATE – FEBRUARY 2026:

New York City’s AI Action Plan has continued to advance. Significant progress was reported in the city’s October 2025 Year 2 Progress Report. As of that update, 35 of the 37 actions outlined in the original October 2023 plan have been initiated or completed. This reflects steady expansion of the city’s AI governance infrastructure. Major milestones include the formal establishment of the Citywide AI Steering Committee. Additionally, there is continued development of agency-level AI governance frameworks. There is also expanded workforce training to align public sector roles with responsible AI deployment and oversight.

In November 2025, the New York City Council passed the GUARD Act. This comprehensive package of legislation strengthens oversight of AI use in city government. The law establishes a new Office of Algorithmic Accountability responsible for monitoring agency AI systems. It also enforces procurement and governance requirements and maintains a public inventory of AI tools used across city departments. This represents a shift from primarily guidance-based governance toward enforceable oversight and transparency requirements.

At the state level, New York has also accelerated its AI governance efforts. In February 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul announced the creation of a statewide Office of Digital Innovation, Governance, and Strategy. This office will coordinate AI policy, oversight, and innovation initiatives across state agencies. These developments complement New York City’s Action Plan. Moreover, they reinforce New York’s broader strategy of combining governance, transparency, workforce readiness, and regulatory oversight to ensure responsible AI adoption.

Together, these milestones demonstrate that New York City’s AI Action Plan has moved from foundational guidance to operational implementation and enforceable governance. This positions the city as a national leader in public-sector AI accountability and oversight.

ORIGINAL NEWS STORY:

New York City Provides Update on AI Action Plan

New York City unveiled its comprehensive AI Action Plan in October 2023. This plan, comprising 37 strategic steps, is designed to ensure the effective and responsible use of AI within city government operations. Among the initial commitments outlined in the plan were the establishment of guiding principles for AI use and the provision of immediate-term guidance on emerging AI technologies. To fulfill these commitments, the city released two crucial documents in March 2024: the AI Principles and Definitions Guidelines and the Generative AI Preliminary Use Guidance.

Encouraging Public Participation

NYC built the plan around inclusive governance. To involve the public, city officials hosted virtual listening sessions on April 16, 17, and 19. The city also invited written comments, allowing residents to directly shape AI policy.

To maintain trust, the city promised to anonymize feedback and summarize it in public reports. Officials also emphasized the importance of respectful and professional dialogue during the sessions.

Core AI Principles

The AI Principles and Definitions Guidelines include five central pillars:

• Validity and Reliability

• Social Responsibility

• Information Privacy

• Cybersecurity

• Trust and Transparency

The city asked residents to weigh in on the clarity and usefulness of these principles.

The Generative AI Preliminary Use Guidance provided a framework for using generative AI tools responsibly. It focused on key issues such as:

• Data privacy

• Cybersecurity

• Trustworthiness

• Transparency

Public feedback will help determine how often the city updates this guidance to reflect fast-changing AI trends.

Conclusion

New York City’s AI Action Plan continues to evolve. Its commitment to ethical innovation depends on community involvement, transparency, and accountability. As AI becomes more embedded in public services, the city’s proactive stance shows how local governments can lead on responsible AI governance.

Need Help?

If you’re wondering how New York City’s AI Action Plan, or any other regulation bill around the world, could impact you, don’t hesitate to reach out to BABL AI. Their Audit Experts are ready to provide valuable assistance while answering your questions and concerns.