AI Leaders Testify at NYC Council Hearing on Safety Risks

Senior leaders from Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, and Meta testified under oath at a New York City Council hearing focused on the risks of artificial intelligence and possible policy responses. At the hearing in City Hall, researchers and former employees warned that advanced AI systems could become difficult to control if development continues without stronger safeguards. Former Google DeepMind researcher Alex Turner said there is a risk of creating a powerful adversary at home, while Anthropic whistleblower Jacob Coxon argued that the industry is moving too quickly. Council Speaker Julie Menin pressed the companies on liability, safety practices, and whether current oversight is enough. Google called for a comprehensive federal framework, and Menin said the council may pursue legal action after SpaceXAI did not appear despite a subpoena. The hearing added to growing scrutiny of major AI labs as lawmakers consider new rules.