New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued an apology following criticism over remarks she made suggesting that Black children in the Bronx did not know the word “computer.” The comments were made during a discussion about artificial intelligence at the Milken Institute Global Conference in California. Hochul’s statement drew immediate backlash from New York State Assembly members, community leaders, and civil rights advocates who labeled her remarks as misinformed and reinforcing harmful stereotypes.

Assembly member Amanda Septimo and others from the Bronx responded by highlighting the intelligence and capabilities of Bronx children, criticizing the harmful portrayal of marginalized communities. Civil rights leader Al Sharpton, however, gave Hochul the benefit of the doubt, suggesting her intent was to underscore the technological disparities faced by marginalized groups.

Governor Hochul responded to the criticism by clarifying her intentions, stating that while children in the Bronx are indeed aware of what computers are, they often lack access to the technology necessary for certain educational and employment opportunities. The governor expressed regret for her choice of words, acknowledging that her statement was a mistake. This incident follows a previous occasion where Governor Hochul apologized for controversial comments regarding a hypothetical Canadian attack on a U.S. city.