California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that aimed to regulate artificial intelligence (AI) in the state. The bill, known as Senate Bill 1047, was approved by the Legislature in August and sparked a heated debate over AI regulations. If signed into law, the bill would have required testing of AI models to ensure they do not pose risks such as mass death, attacks on public infrastructure, or cyberattacks. It would have also established whistleblower protections and a public cloud for the development of AI for public benefit.
In his veto message, Newsom expressed concerns about the potential negative impact of the bill on innovation. He argued that it lacked empirical analysis of real threats posed by AI and applied stringent standards even to basic functions. Newsom also criticized its focus on expensive AI models while ignoring potential risks from smaller specialized models.
Despite vetoing SB 1047, Newsom emphasized his belief in the need for AI regulation and expressed his commitment to working with legislators and federal partners to find an appropriate path forward.
The veto disappointed supporters of the bill who saw it as an opportunity for California to lead in innovative tech regulation. Elon Musk, who has been critical of California lawmakers in the past, surprised many by endorsing SB 1047 due to his advocacy for AI regulation.
An online poll conducted by the Artificial Intelligence Policy Institute showed that 65 percent of California voters supported SB 1047. However, opponents including tech giants Google, Meta (formerly facebook), and OpenAI argued that it would harm California’s economy and hinder AI industry growth.
Newsom’s veto derails efforts to align California’s AI regulation with Europe’s AI Act. In September 2023, he issued an executive order directing risk assessments of AI threats to critical infrastructure in California.
While this setback may disappoint supporters of stricter regulations on AI development and use within California state borders; Governor Gavin Newsom believes more research is needed before implementing any legislation or regulations regarding artificial intelligence technology within our society today
