California Governor Gavin Newsom has officially vetoed the much-debated SB 1047, known as the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act, arguing that the bill could hinder technological innovation while failing to adequately protect the public from the genuine risks associated with AI.
The veto, issued on September 30, comes after significant pushback from Silicon Valley and key stakeholders in the tech industry. SB 1047 proposed mandatory safety testing for AI models and additional regulatory measures, leading many tech firms to express concerns that such requirements would stifle growth and innovation.
In a statement released on September 29, Newsom criticized the bill for its narrow focus on regulating existing major AI companies without addressing the broader risks posed by emerging technologies. “Instead, the bill applies stringent standards to even the most basic functions — so long as a large system deploys it. I do not believe this is the best approach to protecting the public from real threats posed by the technology,” he said.
Authored by Senator Scott Wiener, the legislation required developers, including notable companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Google, to implement a "kill switch" for their AI systems and publish detailed plans for managing extreme risks. The bill also included provisions allowing the state attorney general to pursue legal action against AI developers in the event of ongoing threats, such as a hypothetical AI grid takeover.
Despite vetoing SB 1047, Newsom acknowledged the importance of establishing adequate safety protocols for AI. He stated that regulators cannot afford to wait for a major catastrophe before taking proactive measures to protect the public. He highlighted that his administration has signed over 18 bills related to AI regulation in the past month, signaling a commitment to addressing safety concerns while fostering innovation.
The bill faced considerable opposition from a range of lawmakers, advisors, and technology firms. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and representatives from companies like OpenAI argued that the legislation would significantly impede the growth of the AI sector. Neil Chilson, head of AI policy at the Abundance Institute, cautioned that while the bill targeted larger models costing over $100 million, its provisions could easily extend to smaller developers in the future.
However, not all voices in the tech community opposed the bill. Billionaire Elon Musk, who is developing his own AI model called "Grok," expressed support for increased regulation. In an August 26 post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk suggested that California should consider passing the SB 1047 AI safety bill, although he acknowledged the complexities involved in fully backing the proposal.
As the debate over AI regulation continues, the state of California remains at the forefront of discussions on how to balance innovation with safety in the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence.
September 2024, Cryptoniteuae