Calif. Gov. Vetoes AI Safety Bill Aimed at Big Tech Players

Calif. Gov. Vetoes AI Safety Bill Aimed at Big Tech Players

September 30, 2024 at 05:41PM

California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed SB-1047, a bill intended to impose broad restrictions on advanced AI model developers. Despite support from AI researchers and industry, Newsom cited concerns that the bill did not consider varying AI system environments and functions. He vetoed the bill while emphasizing the need for adaptable solutions to oversee AI advancements.

The meeting notes discuss California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s veto of SB-1047, a bill intended to impose restrictions on developers of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models. The bill aimed to establish safety and privacy guardrails around AI model development and use, particularly targeting companies like OpenAI, Meta, and Google. The bill won bipartisan support and easily passed California’s state Assembly and Senate, with endorsements from leading AI researchers and figures such as Elon Musk. However, Newsom vetoed the bill, citing concerns that it applied stringent standards even to basic functions and did not account for high-risk AI deployment environments or critical decision-making processes.

The veto has drawn mixed reactions from various stakeholders. Some view Newsom’s decision as sound, emphasizing the need for a cautious and innovative approach to AI regulation that considers the balance between doing the right thing and supporting innovation. Others, however, consider the concerns addressed by SB-1047 to be theoretical and unfounded, advocating for a more iterative process in developing AI-related laws.

Overall, the meeting notes capture a complex and nuanced debate surrounding the regulation of AI development, reflecting differing perspectives on the potential risks and benefits of imposing stricter controls on AI technologies.

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