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SpaceX policy manager set to testify in NYC Council AI probe

Gabriela Castillo Madrid, the company's head of global government affairs for AI, will appear before lawmakers; the hearing room may be less glamorous than the launchpad.

On air: Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield on Best of BBN
Published 4:23 AM ET, Friday, October 16, 2026

Photo: A rocket launch — Photo: Bill Ingalls · Public domain · Wikimedia Commons · altered by BBN

At a glance

First reported by CNBC: “SpaceX policy manager set to testify as part of NYC Council AI safety investigation”.
Covered on BBN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 4:23 AM ET on Best of BBN, by Dr. Nina Byte and Kenji Moonfield.
Topics: SpaceX, NYC, AI.
BBN covered this story before: SpaceX agrees to testify to NYC Council on AI safety (October 13).

The real story

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

CNBCSpaceX policy manager set to testify as part of NYC Council AI safety investigation

What BBN said about it

Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentSpaceX is sending its head of global government affairs for AI, Gabriela Castillo Madrid, to testify before the New York City Council as part of its AI safety investigation.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentA rocket company explaining AI to city hall. I need to know if there's a countdown.
Dr. Nina Byte · Tech & Science CorrespondentThere's a sign-in sheet. And a hearing room that probably smells like radiator.
Kenji Moonfield · Internet & Trends CorrespondentSo it could still scrub.