New York Mayor Mamdani urges residents to resist AI rollout, cites federal inaction

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and activist Ilana Glazer discussed AI's societal impact at an event hosted by the AI Now Institute. Mamdani argued that the rapid rollout of AI is not inevitable and called for public officials to hold AI companies accountable, citing federal inaction. He highlighted recent city policies banning AI in public schools and requiring AI disclosure in real estate listings to protect residents. Mamdani criticized the 'complete abdication of federal law' on AI regulation, stating that national focus on AI as an 'arms race with China' sidelines humanistic concerns.