AI on a Leash? Shaping Innovation from Policy to Product

The New York startup ecosystem is a global hub for Applied AI, with over 2,000 AI companies and billions in VC funding. But as the technology matures, so does the regulatory landscape.

New York is actively moving to establish guidelines, with proposals like the Responsible AI Safety and Education Act (the RAISE Act) creating both necessary safeguards and potential constraints for builders.

For AI Week New York, Startup Grind is hosting Daisy Thomas, the Director of Advocacy and Policy Development for AI Salon, a global community of “mindful optimists” committed to a pro-innovation, ethical AI future.

Daisy is at the forefront of this conversation, translating legislative drafts into actionable intelligence for founders and product leaders.

🚨 This isn’t just a chat about compliance; it’s about long-term strategy, trust, and market access. Because regulation defines the boundaries of innovation — whether it unlocks opportunity or imposes a leash.

Join us for a frank discussion where we’ll cover:

• Beyond the Hype: Moving past the noise to focus on building a sustainable AI ecosystem in New York and setting the foundation for the next decade.
• The Founder’s Stance: Why AI Salon advocates for regulation that targets “bad actors” rather than imposing early, onerous burdens on small, capital-constrained startups.
• The RAISE Act Reality: An analysis of what New York’s new frontier AI legislation means for the 99% of companies not spending $100M on training runs. Understand the specific legal and competitive risks.
• Policy-as-a-Product: How a founder-friendly regulatory environment could allow companies like Akeptus to focus on building impactful products (like energy management for small businesses) rather than compliance bureaucracy.