Mayor Eric Adams is standing by the new MyCity chatbot in New York City despite reports that it has been providing incorrect information to business owners. Launched as a pilot in October, the chatbot is intended to provide business owners with reliable information in response to their inquiries. However, journalists at The Markup recently found that the chatbot was giving incorrect advice, such as stating that employers could take a portion of their workers’ tips and claiming there were no regulations regarding notifying employees of schedule changes. Adams acknowledged the inaccuracies and emphasized that it is a pilot program that needs to be refined.
Adams has a history of supporting the deployment of untested technology in the city, with varying levels of success. For example, he previously placed a large robot in the Times Square subway station to help deter crime, but it was retired after a few months due to perceived ineffectiveness. Despite the issues with the MyCity chatbot, it remains operational and continues to provide incorrect information on some topics, such as store owners being allowed to go cashless and the city’s minimum wage being $15 per hour, rather than the actual $16 per hour. The chatbot uses Microsoft’s Azure AI service, which may be contributing to the misinformation.
Microsoft has confirmed that they are working with the city to address the inaccuracies in the chatbot’s responses. The Office of Technology and Innovation expects that the issues will be significantly mitigated in the near future. However, the chatbot’s website has been updated with disclaimers cautioning users that its responses may be inaccurate or incomplete, and that it should not be relied upon for legal or professional advice. This has raised concerns among business owners who have received misleading information from the chatbot, with some suggesting that following its advice could lead to legal repercussions.
Andrew Rigie, director of the NYC Hospitality Alliance, has expressed support for the city’s efforts to use AI to assist businesses but emphasizes the importance of accuracy and reliability in the information provided. He has heard from members who have been confused by the chatbot’s responses and stresses that seeking legal advice to verify its guidance defeats the purpose of using the chatbot. The city is working to rectify the inaccuracies and improve the functionality of the chatbot to ensure that it can be a trusted resource for business owners seeking information and guidance.
Overall, the MyCity chatbot in New York City has faced criticism for providing incorrect advice to business owners, such as suggesting that employers can take a cut of their workers’ tips and overlooking key regulations. Despite these shortcomings, Mayor Adams is committed to refining the chatbot as a pilot program to ensure its accuracy and effectiveness. Microsoft is collaborating with the city to address the issues, and the Office of Technology and Innovation expects to mitigate the inaccuracies soon. Business owners are urged to exercise caution when using the chatbot and seek professional advice when necessary to avoid potential legal consequences.
