Power & Politics

In the midst of her 3rd annual "AI Week", NYS Senator Kristen Gonzalez (D-Queens) joined Power & Politics. 

Gonzalez discussed her legislation targeting chatbots and data centers, along with the current dynamic between the federal government and state government when it comes to regulating artificial intelligence. 

The second half of the podcast features John Thickstun, Assistant Professor at Cornell University. He discusses the fears surrounding AI, where the U.S. stacks up in the world when it comes to this technology, data centers, and who should craft policy in this industry.

00:00–00:52
Opening: AI Week at the NY Capitol

00:52–05:37
Guardrails for Chatbots

05:37–09:29
AI Literacy, Surveillance Concerns & Corporate Responsibility

09:29–13:51
Hyper-Scale Data Centers, Climate Law & Energy Grid Stress

13:51–18:12
Worker Protection, Federal Overreach & New York’s AI Agenda

18:12–19:38
Transition: From Statehouse to Lab – Introducing Cornell’s Perspective

19:38–27:06
John Thickstun on AI’s Evolution, Economic Shocks & Historical Parallels

27:06–35:08
Regulation, Copyright, US–China Competition & Energy for AI

35:08–39:30
Data Center Debates, AI Efficiency & How People Should Prepare

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Lara Blume McGee and Jordan Merson discuss their trip to the New York State Capital, advocating for legislation to hold offenders accountable, and eliminate the statute of limitations.

00:00:00–00:01:40 – Testimony at the Capitol
00:01:40–00:03:25 – Breaking Silence After 20 Years
00:03:25–00:05:20 – Statutes of Limitations vs. Justice
00:05:20–00:07:10 – Federal Inaction and Holding on to Hope
00:07:10–00:08:40 – Grooming in the Modeling Industry
00:08:40–00:10:15 – From Constant Fear to Empowerment
00:10:15–00:12:10 – The Adult Survivors Act and What’s Still Missing
00:12:10–00:14:19 – Epstein Files, Accountability, and Men Speaking Up

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NYS Senator Jeremy Cooney discusses his legislation aimed at creating more State regulation around prediction markets, while NYS Assemblymember Phil Palmesano talks about the late State budget, and his remarks on the floor.

[0:00:00] NYS Senator Jeremy Cooney

[0:00:52] What Are Prediction Markets? – Popularity, NYC mayoral race, consumer risk

[0:02:52] Cooney’s Proposal – DFS oversight, licensing, comparison to other financial products

[0:04:12] Sports Betting Angle – Role of Gaming Commission, federal-state turf issues

[0:07:49] Ethics and State Worker Ban – Hochul’s order, insider info, need for consistent rules

[0:12:24] Asm Phil Palmesano and the late NYS Budget

[0:12:39] Palmesano on Energy Bills – Disconnect with voters, push for direct ratepayer relief

[0:15:51] Climate Law and Costs – Natural gas vs renewables, NYSERDA memo, cost impacts

[0:19:01] Transparency and Power Balance – One-party control, governor vs legislature, delays

[0:21:30] Utility Deferment Bill – Asm. Hooks’ proposal, optics of benefiting lawmakers

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More than 20 years after she was a victim of gender-based violence at the New York State Capital, a former Jane Doe discussed her decision to step forward and reveal her identity on Power & Politics this week.

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Walter Masterson is one of 18 people arrested at the New York State Capitol with a court date in Albany this week, charged with 2nd degree Obstructing Governmental Administration. 

Masterson has about 5 million followers on social media, known for his political satire, street interviews and poking fun at a variety of political ideals. 

 "I don't really get a lot of views off of this," Masterson told CBS6. "I just felt like this is something where I wanted to be on the right side of history."

He said business-wise, between a speeding ticket on I87 and the Summons to Albany City Court, he may lose money on the endeavor.

Arrest and Inside the Capitol Protest – [0:00:13 – 0:00:30]
Tom introduces Walter Masterson, fresh off his arrest at the New York State Capitol, and sets up the protest inside Governor Hochul’s office.

Why Protest Hochul: CLCPA, Pipelines, Data Centers – [0:00:30 – 0:02:11]
Walter explains the sit‑in at Hochul’s office, New York’s climate law (CLCPA), and how pipelines and AI data centers fit into the fight.

Gutting the CLCPA: Drilling, Data Centers, Tariffs, Trump – [0:02:11 – 0:04:25]
Walter outlines how weakening the CLCPA enables more drilling and data centers, and argues Hochul is using tariffs and Trump as political cover.

From Climate Progress to Climate Backslide – [0:04:25 – 0:06:45]
They question whether New York ever fully implemented the CLCPA and warn that Hochul’s moves could undo existing climate progress.

Jobs, Fossil Fuels, and Hochul’s Political Identity – [0:06:45 – 0:09:11]
Walter disputes the jobs case for oil and gas, says renewables are cheaper long‑term, and claims Hochul is governing more like a Republican.

Protest Size, Public Opinion, and Donor Politics – [0:09:11 – 0:12:22]
Walter reflects on only 18 arrests, unexpected support from some MAGA voters, and argues Hochul is mainly serving donors, not the public.

Moral Stand and Challenging the Duopoly – [0:12:22 – 0:16:43]
He frames his arrest as a moral stand that hurts his business, then broadens out to criticize unchecked power and the two‑party duopoly.

Platforming Voices and What Comes Next – [0:16:43 – end]
Walter explains how he uses interviews to amplify populist, working‑class voices, expose insidious actors, and previews future protest plans.

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The New York State Inspector General's annual Workers Compensation Fraud Report was released this week, with 22 arrests, and $1.9 million identified ($1.7 million recovered) in fraudulent activity in 2025.

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Dru Rai discusses the application of Artificial Intelligence in State Government, and what training looks like for more than 100,000 State workers. He says they first wrote AI Policy in 2023, and now are invested in growing ITS staff to help facilitate implementation and responsible use of AI.

Intro & Who’s in Charge of AI

How NY Is Rolling Out AI

Limits, Risks & Guardrails

Jobs, Modernization & Efficiency

Transparency, Regulation & the ‘Black Box’

Cybersecurity & AI’s Double Edge

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Beth Noveck, founder of InnovateUS, discusses the rollout of their Artificial Training to New York State's Government workforce. She also talks about her book "Reboot AI, the Race to Save Democracy"

00:00 – 01:12 — Introducing InnovateUS and Beth Noveck
Setting the stage: Beth’s role, InnovateUS, and AI in New York State government.

01:12 – 04:45 — Why Focus on Government Workers?
Government’s role in people’s lives and how AI can improve services and efficiency.

04:45 – 06:54 — Scale and Reach of InnovateUS
200,000 learners, 50 states and cities, 80 countries; how free courses and workshops work.

06:54 – 09:13 — The AI Literacy Gap
Headlines vs. real understanding, fears about AI, and how InnovateUS designs its training.

09:13 – 11:07 — The Art of Prompting
Why generative AI is unpredictable, how prompting works, and learning to “drive” AI well.

11:07 – 14:54 — Tailored Training for Different Public Roles
Courses for lawyers, communications staff, public engagement, and evolving curricula.

14:54 – 18:29 — Risks, Responsibility, and Trust in Government AI
Data privacy, hallucinations, procurement pitfalls, and simple high‑impact uses (e.g., translation).

18:29 – 22:39 — AI, Power, and Democracy (Rebooting AI)
Concentrated tech power, deepfakes, and overlooked democratic uses of AI (e.g., Brazil’s Congress).

22:39 – 26:26 — Who Should Regulate AI? Federal vs. State Roles
Fragmented regulation, the need for local control, and what “regulating AI” really means.

26:26 – End — What’s Changed (and Hasn’t) in Government and Democracy
Beth’s reflections on slow institutional change, democratic backsliding, and using AI to strengthen democracy.

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Donna Lieberman of the New York Civil Liberties Union joins Power & Politics to discuss their perspective and priorities for the FY2027 New York State Budget, which currently is past its April 1st deadline.

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