AI Impact Assessment Request Procedure - Manhattan City Law

In Manhattan, New York, public-sector uses of automated decision systems (ADS) and artificial intelligence are subject to city guidance and transparency requirements. This page explains how to request an AI impact assessment or review from city agencies, what documentation is typically required, who enforces compliance, and where to find official guidance and inventories. Official guidance is published by the Mayors Office of Operations^[1] and the Department of Information Technology and Telecommunications (DoITT)^[2].

Penalties & Enforcement

Manhattan uses citywide oversight for automated decision systems; enforcement and transparency responsibilities rest with city agencies coordinated by the Mayors Office of Operations and DoITT. Specific monetary fines and escalation schedules for failing to perform or publish AI impact assessments are not specified on the cited pages but agencies may face remedial or corrective directives.

• Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page.
• Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offence ranges are not specified on the cited pages.
• Non-monetary sanctions: may include orders to suspend or modify ADS deployment, removal from inventory, or corrective action mandates; exact remedies are determined by the enforcing agency.
• Enforcer: Mayors Office of Operations and DoITT coordinate policy and inventory oversight; individual agencies operate and enforce their own procurement and program rules.
• Inspection and complaints: members of the public may raise concerns via NYC311 or direct agency contact; program audits and internal compliance reviews are managed by the operating agency.
• Appeal/review: appeal routes and statutory time limits are not specified on the cited pages and typically follow agency administrative appeal or procurement protest procedures.

Applications & Forms

No standardized public "AI impact assessment" application form is published centrally for members of the public to submit to agencies; agencies follow internal procurement and technical review processes and may publish agency-specific submission instructions. Check the operating agencys ADS inventory entry or contact DoITT for procedural guidance.

How to Request an AI Impact Assessment

1. Identify the operating agency that uses the ADS and find its ADS inventory entry or public disclosure page.
2. Contact the agencys designated program or procurement office by email or NYC311 to request an impact assessment review.
3. Provide specific details: system name, vendor, function, dates of deployment, and any public records or decisions you seek reviewed.
4. Ask for timelines: request an estimated completion date and whether interim disclosures or mitigation steps will be posted.
5. If unsatisfied, request information about the agencys appeal or complaint procedure and consider filing a formal complaint through NYC311 or the Citys records request process.

Typical Documentation & Evidence

• System documentation: vendor name, model/version, intended function, and decision criteria.
• Data provenance: data sources, training datasets, and data retention policies.
• Technical evaluations: fairness, bias, validation, and performance reports.
• Procurement and contract records: agreements, SLAs, and procurement documents.

Common Violations

• Failure to list an ADS in the city inventory where disclosure is expected.
• Deployment without completing internal impact review or mitigation steps required by agency policy.
• Insufficient documentation of data sources or validation testing.

FAQ

Who can request an AI impact assessment?

Any member of the public may request review information from the operating agency and can file concerns via NYC311; agencies publish inventory entries for many systems.

Is there a standard form to request an assessment?

No standardized public form is centrally published; contact the operating agency or DoITT for agency-specific procedures.

How long does a review take?

Timelines vary by agency and system complexity and are not specified on the cited guidance pages; ask the agency for an estimated schedule.

How-To

1. Locate the ADS inventory entry for the system on the operating agencys website or DoITT guidance page.
2. Contact the agencys public records or program office with a written request describing the system and your concerns.
3. Provide evidence or examples of decisions you believe were affected by the system.
4. Request status updates and an estimated completion date for the review.
5. If necessary, escalate via NYC311 and request information on administrative appeal rights or procurement protest options.

Key Takeaways

• Request reviews early and document the system and impacts you want investigated.
• Contact the operating agency and DoITT for guidance on procedures and transparency entries.
• Monetary fines and strict timelines are not published on the cited pages; agencies manage remedies and corrective actions.

Help and Support / Resources

• Mayor's Office of Operations - Automated Decision Systems
• DoITT - Automated Decision Systems initiative
• NYC311 - File complaints or service requests

1. [1] Mayor's Office of Operations - Automated Decision Systems
2. [2] DoITT - Automated Decision Systems initiative