YEREVAN (CoinChapter.com) — On Sep. 30, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed SB 1047, a widely discussed AI safety bill. The bill, named the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act, faced significant opposition from major tech companies in Silicon Valley. Newsom argued that the bill’s regulations would place unnecessary restrictions on AI development in California, potentially harming innovation.
In a statement on Sep. 29, Newsom explained that while the bill had good intentions, it focused too heavily on regulating existing AI firms. He noted that the bill failed to address the real risks posed by evolving AI technologies and instead imposed unnecessary restrictions on even basic AI functions.
Tech Firms Resist Stringent AI Regulations
SB 1047 proposed mandatory safety tests for AI models and required developers, including OpenAI, Meta, and Google, to implement a “kill switch” for their AI systems. This measure was intended to deactivate AI models in case of extreme risks. The bill also stated that AI developers could face legal action from the state attorney general if their models posed a threat, such as taking control of critical infrastructure.
The bill targeted large-scale AI models with development costs over $100 million, raising concerns from industry experts. Neil Chilson, head of AI policy at the Abundance Institute, warned that the bill’s scope could eventually expand to cover smaller developers as well.
Governor Newsom mentioned that he had consulted with AI safety experts and emphasized the need for “workable guardrails” based on scientific analysis. He ordered state agencies to continue evaluating the potential risks posed by advanced AI models.
California’s AI Safety Bill: Reactions From Lawmakers and Tech Leaders
Several lawmakers, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, opposed SB 1047, the California AI Safety bill. They argued that the bill would hinder AI innovation, which is crucial to California’s economy. Major tech firms also expressed concerns that the bill would limit AI development and growth.
In contrast, Elon Musk supported the bill and broader AI regulations. On Aug. 26, Musk posted on X, saying that
“California should probably pass the SB 1047 AI safety bill,”
though he acknowledged that it was a difficult decision.
Despite his veto, Newsom stressed the importance of adopting strong AI safety measures, citing that his administration had passed over 18 AI-related bills in the past 30 days.
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