Gov. Kathy Hochul admitted Thursday that she uses artificial intelligence “lightly” at the office — including to figure out how high New York’s gas prices are.

Hochul described her use of AI as “like a Google,” during the Q&A session at an Association for a Better New York event.

“I would say that it’s being used lightly now … I use it more as a search engine, like a Google,” she said, providing an example from just that morning.

Hochul described her use of AI as “like a Google.” AFP via Getty Images

The Democratic governor said she used AI earlier in the day to check gas prices in the Empire State, a factoid she’d separately brought up during her speech at the power broker breakfast.

“In the three weeks since the United States launched a military campaign against Iran, the average price of gas in York is up 21% up 62 cents per gallon,” Hochul told attendees at Cipriani Wall Street.

According to AAA, however, New York’s average gas price is up closer to 25%, and about 73 cents per gallon.

The Democratic governor’s comments on her personal experiences with artificial intelligence came as she outlined a broader vision for integrating the tech into the state economy, saying she wants to make New York the “go to destination” for AI companies.

According to AAA, New York’s average gas price is up closer to 25%. Christopher Sadowski for NY Post

“If AI is destined to reconfigure the global economy, New York must be on the front lines,” she said. 

Hochul said she plans to launch the “FutureWorks Commission,” a new body tasked with studying how AI will reshape New York, as she acknowledged many uncertainties remain.

“One thing we know about AI is we just don’t know much. This has been troubling me for a while,” she said.

The commission will include leaders from business, labor, academia and government, and is expected to deliver policy recommendations to help the Empire State adapt to the rapid technological changes.

“It’ll have an ambitious agenda to study how AI is shaping jobs and industries, track both the worst disruptions and the most promising opportunities, and recommend policies to ensure New Yorkers benefit.”

Hochul said she plans to launch the “FutureWorks Commission,” a new body tasked with studying how AI will reshape New York. Getty Images

The initiative builds on a series of recent state efforts, including the $500 million Empire AI computing center and new workforce training programs aimed at preparing students, small businesses and government employees for the tech.

Hochul compared the “AI revolution” to the Industrial Revolution, warning of potential job losses, as well as new gig opportunities.

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“the AI revolution is hitting workers like an earthquake, squeezing more efficiency out of senior staff, forcing mid-level workers to find new jobs, and leaving entry level workers out in the cold.” she said.

She also signaled caution around AI’s infrastructure demands, particularly energy intensive data centers, which she has previously opposed.

Hochul compared the “AI revolution” to the Industrial Revolution. Getty Images

Companies seeking to build in New York, she said, will need to supply their own power or contribute to the state’s grid to power the resource-sucking data centers.

“Innovation should not shift the cost onto working families,” Hochul said.

She also suggested AI could help modernize government itself, including by identifying outdated laws.

“We still have to use telegrams to communicate,” she joked about one outdated law on New York’s books that forces agencies to use telegrams.

“Haven’t done that in about a century,” she quipped.