The administration of New York City Mayor Eric Adams released a plan for the adoption and regulation of artificial intelligence (AI) within the local government, along with a new integration into city applications.
On Oct. 16, the administration released an update saying it is developing a framework through which city agencies can “carefully” evaluate AI tools and their risks. The framework is also designed to help build government employees’ knowledge and skills of AI technologies and improve life quality for local residents.
According to the announcement the plan will include 37 “key actions,” of which 29 are said to begin or be completed within the next year.
Some of the goals of the plan include an established framework for AI governance, an AI advisory network, preparing city officials with AI knowledge and skills and the publication of an annual AI progress report.
Mayor Adams commented that while the technology presents opportunities for the government to “more effectively deliver” for its citizens, they also must be “clear-eyed” about its risks.
Wrapped up in the announcement of a forthcoming AI framework, was the update to its MyCity Business platform to include the first pilot of NYC’s first citywide AI chatbot. The feature will help answer questions regarding opening or operating a business.
Maria Torres-Springer, the city’s deputy mayor for housing, economic development and workforce, commented on the chatbot implementation calling it an “important milestone” to make the government more accessible to everyone.
“Through the creation of this simple, easy-to-use tool, we are removing barriers to city resources that have the potential to positively impact small businesses across New York.”
The new AI chatbot will be able to source information from over 2,000 NYC business-related web pages to be able to provide information on compliance with codes and regulations, available business incentives, and best practices to avoid violations and fines.
In September, the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) said it plans to build and deploy its own ChatGPT-style AI bot to be used for investigations.
Gary Gensler, the chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission(SEC), has also admitted that the SEC uses AI technologies for monitoring the financial sector for signs of fraud and manipulation.
A Reform UK canvasser who used a racial slur against Rishi Sunak has called himself a “total fool” and said he has learned his lesson.
Footage from an undercover Channel 4 reporter showed Reform campaigner Andrew Parker using a discriminatory term about the prime minister, as well as saying the army should “just shoot” migrants crossing the Channel.
Mr Parker, who was canvassing in Clacton, where Reform leader Nigel Farage is standing, told Sky News the sting operation had “proper taught me a lesson”.
He said: “There’s lots of old people like me who are sick to death of this woke agenda… but on that particular day, I was set up and set up good and proper.
“It’s proper taught me a lesson – I was a total fool.”
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Pressed on his use of the racial slur, he said he was an “old man” and “I still use old words”.
“There’s no racism at all in it. I am a decent guy to be honest”, he added.
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In the Channel 4 report, Mr Parker can be heard using offensive language about the prime minister and also discussing migrants arriving in small boats in Deal, Kent
He said: “Army recruitment – get the young recruits there, with guns, on the f****** beach, target practice. F****** just shoot them.”
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Sunak ‘hurt’ over Reform race row
He also described Islam as a “disgusting cult”.
Mr Farage said he was “dismayed” by the “appalling” comments and has sought to distance himself from the campaigner, saying he was simply “someone who turned up to help” and “has nothing to do with the party”.
He has also used reports Mr Parker was a part-time actor to suggest the incriminating film was a “total set-up” – something Channel 4 has strongly denied.
Mr Parker himself says his volunteering for Reform was separate from his acting job – and claims he was “goaded” into making the comments.
A spokesperson for Channel 4 said: “We strongly stand by our rigorous and duly impartial journalism which speaks for itself.
“We met Mr Parker for the first time at Reform UK party headquarters, where he was a Reform party canvasser.
“We did not pay the Reform UK canvasser or anyone else in this report. Mr Parker was not known to Channel 4 News and was filmed covertly via the undercover operation.”
The broadcaster’s investigation also caught another canvasser describing the Pride flag as “degenerate” and suggesting members of the LGBT community are paedophiles.
A spokesman for Essex Police said the force is “urgently assessing” the comments “to establish if there are any criminal offences”.
PM ‘hurt and angry’ over racial slur
Mr Sunak reacted furiously to the comments and said Mr Farage had “some questions to answer”.
He said: “My two daughters have to see and hear Reform people who campaign for Nigel Farage calling me an effing P***. It hurts and it makes me angry and I think he has some questions to answer.
“And I don’t repeat those words lightly. I do so deliberately because this is too important not to call out clearly for what it is.
“As prime minister, but more importantly as a father of two young girls, it’s my duty to call out this corrosive and divisive behaviour.”
Unrepentant Farage doubles down
However, Mr Farage was unrepentant when grilled on the row during a BBC Question Time leaders’ special, saying he was “not going to apologise” for the actions of people associated with his party.
Reform UK has faced a series of controversies relating to election candidates saying offensive or racist things.
Asked why his party “attracts racists and extremists”, the former UKIP leader claimed he had “done more to drive the far right out of British politics than anybody else alive” – claiming he took on the British Nationalist Party (BNP) a decade ago.
He also appeared to throw his predecessor Richard Tice under the bus when read racist and xenophobic comments made by Reform candidates, saying he “inherited a start up party” and has “no idea” why the people who said those things had been selected.
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