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In Westchester, New York, GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman has criticized Governor Kathy Hochul's one-year moratorium on AI data centers, arguing that it hinders New York's competitiveness in the field of artificial intelligence. Blakeman's comments came as Hochul hosted roundtable discussions in the Hudson Valley to address local concerns about the development of these centers.
Blakeman, who is the Nassau County Executive, described the moratorium as "crazy" and suggested that New York needs to find ways to compete with other states and countries in the AI sector. He emphasized the importance of economic development and urged local governments and business leaders to create incentives for data centers. According to NY1, Blakeman made these remarks in Brooklyn, highlighting the impact of electrification mandates on utility costs and development projects.
Governor Hochul, a Democrat, defended the moratorium, citing concerns over utility bills and environmental impacts. She argued that the state needs to assess the costs and implications of large data centers. Hochul's stance is part of her reelection campaign, as noted in a City & State report, which includes a new ad promoting the moratorium as a measure to save New Yorkers money.
The debate over the moratorium comes amid heightened scrutiny of AI's potential threats, with some advocating for enhanced regulations and safety protocols. Hochul has also highlighted the state's AI safety bill, the Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act, which will be implemented in January. As reported by NBC New York, the moratorium and AI regulations are likely to be key issues in the upcoming election.
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