Here's what's in the RAISE Act, a state-level AI bill opposed by Trump and industry leaders

New York has recently emerged as a pivotal player in the contentious discussion surrounding artificial intelligence regulation, despite being thousands of miles from Silicon Valley. The Responsible AI Safety and Education (RAISE) Act, championed by Democratic congressional candidate Alex Bores, aims to enforce stringent safety protocols for large AI companies. This proposed legislation mandates that AI firms disclose safety incidents and publish risk management procedures. The super PAC 'Leading the Future' has taken aim at Bores, expressing vehement opposition to the RAISE Act. They view the bill as an unwarranted attempt to regulate an industry they believe should operate freely. Bores argued against this stance in a recent interview, saying, "What they're saying is the fact that you dared step up and push back on us at all means we need to bury you with millions and millions of dollars." Founded in August with over $100 million in backing, Leading the Future seeks to support candidates who favor a more progressive approach to AI. The group aligns closely with the Trump administration's perspective, which advocates for a unified federal AI regulation to prevent states from imposing their own laws. This approach is seen as a strategy to weaken regulatory efforts in major Democratic states like California and New York. Bores, who has served in the New York State Assembly since 2023, is not new to the tech industry, having previously worked at companies such as Palantir. His campaign, launched for New York's 12th congressional district, follows the announcement that incumbent Rep. Jerry Nadler will not seek reelection. Bores has expressed strong belief in the potential of AI but emphasizes the importance of managing its risks. "The same pathways that will allow it to potentially cure diseases [will] allow it to, say, build a bio weapon," he cautioned. The RAISE Act has already passed both the New York State Assembly and Senate, awaiting the governor's decision by the start of the 2026 session. Following the announcement of targeted opposition, Bores has leveraged the situation for fundraising, urging potential supporters to back his campaign to prevent Trump-aligned donors from influencing tech policy. The legislation applies to major AI companies like Google and OpenAI, imposing requirements for safety protocols and penalties of up to $30 million for violations. It aims to prevent models from contributing to significant harm, including events that could result in numerous casualties or extensive financial damage. Bores highlighted the historical context of the bill, comparing it to the negligence seen in the tobacco industry. He emphasized the necessity for transparency, citing a recent incident involving Anthropic, where a model was allegedly used in a cyberattack without timely disclosure. As debates continue over whether AI regulation should be handled at the state or federal level, Bores argues for proactive state legislation, stating, "We should eventually have a federal AI standard. I strongly agree with that." The discussion is intensifying as states like California and Illinois have also begun implementing their own AI regulations, signaling a growing urgency for comprehensive oversight in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.