OpenAI, Anthropic face new oversight as New York’s AI safety law takes effect

What happened

New York has launched a registration portal for large AI companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic, as part of the RAISE Act, a new state law focused on AI safety and transparency. The law requires these companies to register by January 1, 2027, and to follow new rules on publishing safety frameworks, reporting safety incidents, and providing transparency reports. The state also created the Office of Digital Innovation, Governance, Integrity, and Trust (DIGIT) to enforce the law. Additionally, the New York Center for AI Responsibility and Research was established at Binghamton University to independently review AI safety.

Key details

• The RAISE Act applies to AI companies with over $500 million in annual revenue.
• Safety incidents must be reported within 72 hours under the new law.
• Penalties can reach $1 million for a first violation and $3 million for later violations.
• The New York Center for AI Responsibility and Research received $55 million in funding.
• DIGIT will oversee the implementation and enforcement of the RAISE Act.

Why it matters

Large AI companies operating in New York must now comply with strict safety and transparency requirements, including timely incident reporting and public disclosure of safety practices. Non-compliance could result in significant financial penalties and enforcement actions. This creates new legal and operational obligations for major AI developers and establishes state-level oversight that directly affects how these companies build and deploy advanced AI systems.