Governor Kathy Hochul Very Sorry She Said ‘Young Black Kids Growing Up in the Bronx’ Aren’t Familiar With the Word ‘Computer’

For some reason, New York's leaders can't get enough of flying across the country and speaking at the conference of world-historical financial criminal Michael Milken. Two years ago, it was Eric Adams who made a much-needed appearance at the Milken Institute Global Conference. And Monday, it was Governor Kathy Hochul's turn, apparently to tout the state's own investments in artificial intelligence, but she wanted to make sure it was a memorable one.

During a "fireside chat" with MSNBC's Jonathan Capeheart, Hochul said that "right now we have young Black kids growing up in the Bronx who don’t even know what the word 'computer' is."

What? Kathy? 

"Repeating harmful stereotypes about one of our most underserved communities, while failing to acknowledge the state's consistent institutional neglect, only perpetuates systems of abuse," State Assemblymember Amanda Septimo, who represents the South Bronx, told the New York Times. 

As Queens State Senator Kristen Gonzalez pointed out, the effort that Hochul was there to promote is a giant giveaway to the tech and research institutions that have developed AI technology with little to no guardrails for its use, allow for insanely dangerous applications of the technology, and generally do nothing to close technology gaps in places like the Bronx, which still lacks reliable, affordable broadband internet. 

Hochul has since apologized. 

"Of course Black children in the Bronx know what computers are," the governor said in a statement. "The problem is that they too often lack access to the technology needed to get on track to high-paying jobs in emerging industries like AI."

Governor, maybe if you're so into the wonders of "AI," you should just stick with whatever ChatGPT spits out next time? 

Other links to start your day on a computer, a word everyone knows, it cannot be reiterated enough: 

• It's racial politics day in NYC, apparently. 
• The Transport Workers Union is suing Columbia University for not sending in the cops sooner, which they say endangered union workers at Hamilton Hall. 
• It's nice to be a recently un-convicted wealthy sex criminal.
• Another longtime Adams aide is out at City Hall. 
• "Roosevelt Island residents are having a cow over an elusive muscle car that's been blaring annoying animal sounds across the neighborhood at all hours of the day."
• In a shock to many, the NYPD is not really abiding by the rules it agreed to regarding the policing of protests.
• Meanwhile, dozens of protesters were arrested near the Met Gala last night, after a day of action focused on Israel's bombardment of Rafah. 
• As more and more migrants utilize New York's municipal ID program, the City is boosting the number of registration windows it has each week.
• Will terminally ill New Yorkers get the "right-to-die"? 
• If you ever stayed home sick as a kid in NYC, you know this voice. 
• "Eric Adams said their water was safe. Public housing residents say they're getting sick."
• And finally…why? Why must Mrs. Met speak through Mr. Met? I guess….neither of them "speak" per se, but that's besides the point!