The Artificial Intelligence News Source

On Sunday, a new bill to regulate AI was vetoed by the governor of California. In doing so, he expressed that the bill did not protect tech companies enough.

California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a highly anticipated AI safety bill (SB 1047) on September 29, 2024. The bill aimed to establish some of the first AI safety regulations in the U.S., requiring large AI companies to disclose and test their systems to prevent misuse, such as tampering with critical infrastructure or creating dangerous technologies. It would have mandated public safety protocols and whistleblower protections for employees.

Despite support from AI safety advocates and some industry figures, Newsom expressed concerns that the bill was overly broad and could stifle innovation. He argued that it imposed stringent requirements on all large AI models, without considering their specific use cases or risk levels. This led to opposition from tech companies, startups, and even some political figures, who feared it would harm California’s competitive edge in AI development. Instead of enacting the bill, Newsom announced plans to work with AI experts to develop more tailored regulations.

The veto was seen as a victory for the tech industry, which had lobbied against the bill, but it may inspire similar legislative efforts in other states. Meanwhile, California continues to pass laws addressing AI in specific areas like deepfakes and worker protections oai_citation:2,California Gov. Newsom vetoes AI bill, considered strictest in nation | KUNC oai_citation:1,California governor vetoes bill to create first-in-nation AI safety measures.