NYC oversight hearing exposes gaps in agencies’ use of AI, surveillance tools

During a New York City Council oversight hearing on Monday, a representative from the city’s technology office struggled to answer questions about how agencies use artificial intelligence, biometric data and other surveillance tools.

Lawmakers are considering two local bills that would ban biometric data collection in businesses and residential buildings citywide, and though both bills largely exempt government use, they pressed the agency representatives to explain how such tools are deployed across the New York City government.

During his testimony, Alex Foard, assistant commissioner of research and collaboration at the Office of Technology and Innovation, lacked answers to several key questions from the council, sometimes deferring to other offices. Foard said, for instance, that his office doesn’t track all of the city’s biometric data collection, only tools reported under Local Law 35, a 2022 law that requires city agencies to annually disclose their use of algorithmic tools that can impact the public, like facial recognition software.

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