NYC Council Prepares to Question AI Companies on 10 Safeguard Bills

The New York City Council is expected to hear from former AI researchers and representatives of four major developers on October 5, 2026, as it reviews 10 proposed safeguard bills. WABC-TV’s reporting, published by 6abc, describes a hearing that will put industry warnings and company safety practices before lawmakers considering enforceable rules.

Researchers first, company representatives next

The scheduled opening witnesses are former Anthropic researcher Jacob Coxon, former OpenAI researcher Daniel Kokotajlo and former Google DeepMind researcher Alex Turner. Coxon has warned that AI could become too powerful for humans to control. Their participation comes at Council Speaker Julie Menin’s request.

Council members then expect testimony from Anthropic’s Logan Graham, OpenAI’s Morgan Dwyer, Meta’s Shane Cahill and Google’s Alice Friend. Menin has also invited current and former AI employees to share information publicly or confidentially, extending the inquiry beyond the scheduled witnesses.

From safety assurances to legal duties

The proposals address different routes to accountability: direct control over AI systems, outside checks, incentives to report wrongdoing and liability for harm. They remain proposed legislation, not requirements established by this hearing.

• Human control: One proposal would require a human-operated shutdown mechanism, often called a kill switch, with fines of up to $25,000 for violations.
• Outside scrutiny and liability: Bills would require third-party validation for AI systems used in the city and allow people harmed by AI to hold companies liable.
• Whistleblower incentives: Proposals include a share of fines for whistleblowers and protections for municipal employees, contractors and subcontractors reporting suspected AI-development wrongdoing.

Another measure would require the city to track AI’s workforce effects, including eliminated or displaced jobs. That would add reporting on employment consequences alongside the proposed system-level safeguards.

A safety defense and an unanswered invitation

OpenAI has already defended its precautions in a letter to Menin and the Council, according to NY1. The company says it tests for dangerous behavior, strengthens protections when needed and wants to work with the city on safe, useful and accountable AI.

The Council says Elon Musk’s SpaceXAI did not respond to its invitation, prompting a subpoena seeking company testimony. Menin is considering legal action to compel compliance; that remains a possible next step, not a completed court action.