Jacob Coxon, a former researcher at the artificial intelligence firm Anthropic, is scheduled to testify at a New York City Council hearing on AI, according to a report from Bloomberg News. The testimony is part of the council’s ongoing examination of how automated systems are used and regulated within the city.
The hearing, to be held by the council’s Committee on Technology, will focus on the capabilities and potential risks associated with advanced AI systems. Coxon’s scheduled appearance follows his public statements on AI safety and governance.
In May, Coxon was one of 13 current and former employees from leading AI companies, including Anthropic, OpenAI, and Google DeepMind, who published an open letter addressing concerns about the technology. The letter called on AI companies to establish greater transparency and provide stronger protections for whistleblowers who raise safety-related issues. The signatories stated that non-disclosure agreements could prevent them from voicing concerns publicly.
The New York City Council has previously taken steps to address the use of automated tools in city governance. In 2017, it passed a law creating a task force to study the city’s use of automated decision systems and to provide recommendations for their fair and transparent application. The upcoming hearing continues the city’s efforts to develop a legislative framework for AI.
Anthropic, where Coxon previously worked, was founded by former senior members of OpenAI. The company has publicly stated its mission is to build reliable and beneficial AI systems, with a strong emphasis on safety research. Its primary product is the Claude family of large language models.
The Bloomberg report, which cited individuals familiar with the matter, did not specify the exact topics Coxon will address. His testimony is expected to provide lawmakers with a perspective from a technical expert who has worked inside one of the industry’s prominent development labs.
The hearing occurs as governments at the local, national, and international levels are increasing their scrutiny of artificial intelligence. Discussions are centered on topics including data privacy, algorithmic bias, public safety, and the long-term societal effects of the technology.
