New York City Council subpoenas SpaceXAI for AI hearing
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin has subpoenaed SpaceXAI to send a representative to an October 5 hearing on proposed AI safety rules. Council officials say the company alone had not committed to attend after invitations went out to major AI firms. The subpoena changes the request for voluntary testimony into a legal demand; it is neither a penalty nor a finding that SpaceXAI broke a rule.
Artificial Intelligence··Morning
A subpoena follows unanswered invitations
New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin issued a subpoena to SpaceXAI on September 28 to compel a representative to attend an October 5 public hearing on AI safety. Washington Examiner independently reported the council’s action and its aim of securing company testimony. According to the council, SpaceXAI was the only invited major company that had not committed to send someone. The legal demand replaces an unanswered request to participate voluntarily.[1], [2]
Other firms agreed to testify
The council says Meta accepted its invitation, while Google, OpenAI and Anthropic confirmed attendance after being warned that subpoenas could follow. The hearing is to examine city proposals concerning risks from AI development. Menin says the firms employ many New Yorkers and should answer questions for workers and the public. City & State New York reports that this is the first use of subpoena power during her speakership. The proposals are subjects for a future hearing, not rules already in force.[1]
Compliance may go before a court
A subpoena demands testimony; it is not a penalty or a finding that SpaceXAI violated an AI safety rule. Menin’s team says it would ask New York State Supreme Court to enforce the subpoena if the company does not comply, and could then seek further relief. The company had not immediately answered a request for comment as of September 28. Whether its representative will attend was unresolved before the hearing. The current change is the council’s move from an invitation to compulsory process.[1]
