OpenAI, Google, Anthropic and Meta have agreed to testify under oath at a New York City Council hearing on artificial intelligence on October 5, after the council threatened subpoenas.

The hearing will examine the companies’ AI safety practices, according to the council’s announcement. SpaceXAI, which did not agree voluntarily, has been subpoenaed to appear. The council announced the agreement in a press statement on September 28, setting up one of the most high-profile AI hearings by a city government.

Council members are weighing a slate of bills aimed at regulating AI, 6sqft reported. The session is expected to cover data use, model safety and the impact of AI systems on city residents.

The under-oath format signals lawmakers want binding commitments rather than talking points. Tech companies have faced growing scrutiny over how quickly they are deploying powerful models.

What happens next: the October 5 hearing could shape city-level AI rules and add pressure for wider regulation.