New York Considers Bills to Label AI-Generated News and Pause New Data Centers
Key Points
- NY FAIR News Act would require AI‑generated news to carry a disclaimer.
- Human editorial control must approve AI‑created content before publication.
- Newsrooms would have to disclose how and when AI tools are used to staff.
- The bill includes safeguards to protect confidential source information from AI access.
- S9144 proposes a three‑year pause on permits for new data centers.
- The moratorium is driven by a rapid increase in electricity demand and recent rate hikes.
- Requests for large‑load electric connections have tripled in one year.
- New York currently hosts over 130 data centers and approved a nine‑percent rate increase for Con Edison.
- Both bills aim to balance technological advancement with public safety and infrastructure sustainability.
New York’s state legislature is reviewing two bills aimed at regulating emerging technology. The NY FAIR News Act would require any news content substantially created with generative artificial intelligence to carry a disclaimer and be approved by a human editor, while also mandating disclosure of AI usage to newsroom staff. A separate measure, S9144, seeks to impose a three‑year moratorium on permits for new data centers, citing rapid growth in electricity demand and recent rate increases for utility customers. Together, the proposals address both content integrity and energy infrastructure concerns.
Bill to Label AI‑Generated News Content
The New York Fundamental Artificial Intelligence Requirements in News Act, known as the NY FAIR News Act, is set for legislative consideration. The bill would require any news story that is "substantially composed, authored, or created through the use of generative artificial intelligence" to include a clear disclaimer indicating its AI origins. In addition, the legislation calls for a human with editorial control to review and approve the AI‑generated content before publication. The act also obligates news organizations to inform their newsroom employees about how and when AI tools are being used, aiming to increase transparency within the editorial process.
Beyond labeling, the bill seeks safeguards to protect confidential information, particularly source material, from being accessed by AI systems. These provisions are intended to preserve journalistic integrity while acknowledging the growing role of AI in newsrooms.
Bill to Impose a Moratorium on New Data Centers
The companion measure, S9144, proposes a three‑year pause on the issuance of permits for new data centers across the state. The legislation points to a surge in electric and gas rates for residential, commercial, and industrial customers as a primary motivation. Industry data shows that requests for "large load" connections have tripled in a single year, and projections anticipate an additional ten gigawatts of demand within the next five years. New York already hosts over one hundred thirty data centers, and the state recently approved a nine‑percent rate increase for Con Edison customers over the next three years.
Supporters of the moratorium argue that the rapid expansion of data‑center capacity is straining the electric grid, leading to higher utility bills for consumers. By temporarily halting new permits, the bill aims to give regulators and utilities time to assess infrastructure needs and develop strategies to accommodate future growth without overburdening the grid.
Implications for Technology and Energy Policy
Both bills reflect a broader effort by New York lawmakers to address the challenges posed by fast‑moving technologies. The NY FAIR News Act seeks to ensure that AI‑generated content is clearly identified and responsibly vetted, thereby protecting the public’s trust in news media. Meanwhile, the data‑center moratorium highlights concerns about the energy footprint of digital infrastructure and the need for sustainable growth.
If enacted, these measures could set precedents for other states grappling with similar issues of AI transparency and energy consumption. The proposals underscore the balancing act between fostering innovation and safeguarding public interests in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.