California Governor
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) safety bill that would have introduced some of the first AI regulations in the United States. The bill faced strong opposition from major technology companies.
Governor Newsom argued that the legislation could impede innovation and potentially drive AI developers out of California. In his statement, he said, “The bill does not take into account whether an AI system is deployed in high-risk environments, involves critical decision-making or the use of sensitive data. Instead, the bill applies stringent standards to even the most basic functions – so long as a large system deploys it.”
The proposed bill would have required:
- Safety testing for the most advanced AI models
- Implementation of a “kill switch” to isolate and deactivate AI systems if they became a threat
- Mandatory official oversight for the development of powerful “Frontier Models”
Senator Scott Wiener, the bill’s author, expressed disappointment with the veto, stating that it “allows companies to continue developing an extremely powerful technology without any government oversight.” He added that the decision leaves AI companies with “no binding restrictions from US policy makers, particularly given Congress’s continuing paralysis around regulating the tech industry in any meaningful way.”
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Despite vetoing this bill, Governor Newsom announced plans to protect the public from AI risks and has signed 17 other bills, including legislation to address misinformation and AI-generated deep fakes. He also plans to consult leading experts to develop AI safeguards.
California, home to many of the world’s largest AI companies including OpenAI, plays a crucial role in the tech industry. Any regulations introduced in the state would likely have significant national and global impacts.
Major tech firms such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta had voiced opposition to the bill, warning that it could hinder the development of crucial technology. Meanwhile, efforts by the US Congress to impose AI safeguards have stalled.
This veto highlights the ongoing debate between regulating emerging technologies and fostering innovation, especially in a state that serves as a hub for the global tech industry.
