New York Governor Kathy Hochul appeared on The Verge's Decoder podcast to discuss her administration's approach to technology policy, touching on artificial intelligence, data centers, social media regulation, and surveillance cameras in a wide-ranging interview.
What Happened
Governor Hochul described the structure of her office, placing herself as decision-maker at the top with a senior leadership team below, including a secretary to the governor she characterized as 'the most powerful non-elected position in the state.' She discussed her efforts to bring in experts from business, government, and technology backgrounds. The governor mentioned establishing a Future Works Commission specifically to study job displacement caused by AI, identifying which workers are most vulnerable and how to train people for careers involving artificial intelligence.
Why It Matters
The interview comes as Hochul navigates competing priorities around emerging technology in an election year. Her administration has moved to restrict certain tech platforms—supporting the Meta settlement that limits teen access to Instagram—while also implementing a one-year moratorium on data center construction signed in July, pending review of what conditions would make such facilities acceptable. For developers and industry observers, her approach signals continued regulatory scrutiny of both AI deployment and the infrastructure supporting it.
The Bottom Line
Hochul's administration is actively shaping tech policy across multiple fronts including AI workforce impacts, data center development, social media access, and surveillance technology. She described herself as a 'fairly quick decision-maker' who relies on input from various government levels before making final determinations.