Thomas P. DiNapoli, Comptroller of New York State, has raised concerns regarding the rapid deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) by state agencies, suggesting that it is occurring faster than they can manage. This statement was made in a commentary published in The New York Daily News.
“New York’s use of AI is running well ahead of the state’s ability to manage it,” said P. DiNapoli. “Failure to address who owns the data creates significant privacy risks. AI governance must be baked into the process of agencies’ adoption and use of various technologies. Regular and independent audits will verify that agencies are living up to standards.”
According to Tech Policy Press, the 2024 Artificial Intelligence and Democratic Values Index indicates that the United States lacks sufficient safeguards to ensure that government AI use aligns with democratic norms. The report highlights that public sector AI adoption often occurs without adequate oversight, transparency, or accountability mechanisms.
Oxford Insights’ 2024 Government AI Readiness Index ranked the United States second globally in terms of AI readiness. However, the index noted disparities at the sub-national level, pointing out that individual U.S. states frequently lack consistent governance frameworks for public-sector AI deployment.
A 2025 GovTech report on a state audit revealed several issues within New York agencies concerning their use of AI systems. It found that many agencies failed to test these systems for accuracy or fairness and some were unaware they were using AI as defined by the state. The audit concluded that New York lacks a centralized oversight structure for AI governance.
DiNapoli has served as New York State Comptroller since 2007 and is also a trustee of the $250 billion New York State Common Retirement Fund. He is recognized for his leadership on corporate governance and has been a prominent voice on climate risk and responsible investment.
