California Governor Rejects Bill Aimed at Preventing AI-Related Disasters

Gavin Newsom described the bill as well-intentioned but voiced concerns, stating he did not believe it was the best approach. What then, does he consider the ideal strategy?

California Governor Vetoes AI Regulation Bill

In a surprising move, California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed Senate Bill 1047.

Passed by the California State Assembly on August 28 with a vote of 41 to 9, the bill aimed to prevent potential AI abuses that could cause “critical harm” to humanity.

Well-Intended but Flawed Legislation

In his veto message on September 29, Newsom acknowledged the bill’s good intentions but criticized its lack of precision. He argued that the bill failed to adequately differentiate among the various AI applications, whether in high-risk settings, critical decision-making, or sensitive data usage.

He stated: “The bill imposes stringent standards on even the most basic functions—so long as a large system deploys them.”

Bill Provisions and Their Potential Impact

Had it passed, the bill would have required AI developers to implement safety protocols to prevent catastrophic uses of their technology.

It also proposed severe fines for violations, starting at a minimum of $10 million for the first offense and escalating to $30 million for subsequent violations.

Significant Opposition

SB 1047 faced substantial opposition from the tech industry. AI luminaries like Fei-Fei Li and Yann LeCun, alongside a trade group representing tech giants such as Amazon, Apple, and Google, argued that the bill would stifle innovation in the state’s tech sector.

In conclusion, although California recognizes the need to regulate AI, Senate Bill 1047 was deemed too restrictive and poorly suited to the diversity of AI systems. How the state will address this issue moving forward remains to be seen.