NYC Council speaker asks OpenAI and Anthropic to testify on Oct. 5

In short: New York City Council speaker Julie Menin has asked leaders from OpenAI and Anthropic to appear at an Oct. 5 hearing as the city looks at possible rules for AI companies.

What happened

Julie Menin, who leads the New York City Council, has requested that officials from OpenAI and Anthropic testify at an Oct. 5 City Council hearing. The hearing is being described as an oversight session focused on artificial intelligence.

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is the kind of software behind tools like chatbots that can write text and answer questions (like a very fast autocomplete that can talk back). OpenAI and Anthropic are two of the most well known companies building these systems.

The reporting does not include the full agenda for the hearing. It also does not list other witnesses beyond OpenAI and Anthropic, or say whether either company has agreed to attend.

Why it matters

City governments are showing more interest in how AI affects daily life, including safety, security, and accountability when things go wrong. In recent months, lawmakers and regulators have been pressing major AI firms for information about safety incidents and risky behavior, such as systems giving harmful advice or being misused. If the City Council decides local rules are needed, it could affect how AI products are offered or used in New York City, including by city agencies and businesses that serve residents.

Source: NYTimes