On Monday, October 16, 2023, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Chief Technology Officer Matthew Fraser released the Adams administration’s comprehensive New York City Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Plan, taking a major step to cement New York City’s position as a leader in the responsible use of innovative AI technology. 

Clifford Stein, Interim Director of the Data Science Institute; Wai T. Chang Professor of Industrial Engineering and Operations Research, and Professor of Computer Science, joined the announcement at New York City Hall Rotunda alongside other leaders from government, education, and public service. Many who attended the announcement participated in the development of the plan, which also includes the expertise and contributions of 50 city employees from 18 agencies.

About the AI Action Plan

​​AI captures a wide variety of technologies that use data to make predictions, inferences, recommendations, rankings, and decisions. While AI offers substantial potential benefits, the emerging technology also comes with risks, such as providing inaccurate or unintended results and, in some cases, exhibiting patterns of bias and discrimination.

The plan introduces a set of phased actions the city will undertake to help agencies evaluate these risks and determine whether or not an AI tool is the right technology to deliver positive better outcomes for New Yorkers. Key plan objectives include:

  • Establishing a framework for AI governance that acknowledges the risks of AI, including bias and disparate impact;
  • Creating an external advisory network to consult with stakeholders across sectors around the opportunities and challenges posed by AI;
  • Build AI knowledge and skills in city government to prepare city employees to effectively and responsibly work with and on AI;
  • Enable responsible AI acquisition with AI-specific procurement standards or guidance to support agency-level contracting; and
  • Publish an annual AI progress report to communicate about the city’s progress and implementation.

“Columbia University’s Data Science Institute welcomes this new Mayoral initiative, the AI Action Plan. This initiative is in line with the Institute’s mission of ‘data for good.’ We strongly believe in the responsible use of AI, which given its rapid development must be used in service to the broader benefit of all New Yorkers. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Mayor’s Office and industry across New York City.”

– Cliff Stein

Watch the announcement here, and read the full Artificial Intelligence Action Plan here.