AI & Technology Governance

High School Students Stage Walkout in Protest of AI

Nearly 100 students left an arts-focused high school, marched to a cultural center and rallied for a freeze on artificial intelligence. The action was part of coordinated protests at several New York high schools and colleges. Students expressed concern about AI’s effects on learning, cognitive development, creative ownership and future arts careers.

Technology & Innovation Coalition Building/Community Organizing Peaceful Protest/Demonstration

Government Technology • New York City, NY • Oct 20, 2026

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AI Industry Insiders Voice Alarms to City Council as Local Governments Take Up Safety Concerns

Former employees of Anthropic, OpenAI and Google DeepMind testified before the New York City Council about what they described as inadequate safeguards inside leading artificial-intelligence companies. Drawing on their industry experience, they warned that competitive pressure can encourage companies to release increasingly powerful systems before their risks are fully understood or independently evaluated. They urged city officials to require greater disclosure, outside safety audits and stronger protections for employees who report concerns. The hearing accompanied several proposed city measures addressing AI oversight, including requirements for transparency and independent review. The former employees’ testimony was especially significant because they used a formal public forum—and accepted potential professional consequences—to share firsthand concerns and advocate for enforceable safeguards rather than relying solely on voluntary corporate commitments.

Technology & Innovation Public Testimony/Written Comments

Associated Press • New York City, NY • Oct 5, 2026

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Resident Pushes for Public Records on Former Facial-Recognition Camera System

A town resident repeatedly requested public records about the town’s former facial-recognition camera system, raised the issue of missing records at Town Council meetings and eventually sued under Maine’s Freedom of Access Act. The town has asked the court to dismiss his case, saying it conducted a good-faith search and supplied every responsive record it could locate; Harriman disputes that account.

Government Transparency & Accountability Public Meeting/Town Hall Participation Public Records Request Litigation/Court Challenge

Bangor Daily News • Bangor, ME • Oct 2, 2026

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Citizens Work Together to Come Up with Their County’s AI Policies

County government convened a "civic assembly" of 29 randomly selected selected residents to deliberate and develop policy recommendations on the county's use of AI.

Technology & Innovation Civic Initiative Public Meeting/Town Hall Participation

Cascade PBS • Snohomish County, WA • Jun 26, 2026

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