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California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed SB 1047, a sweeping artificial intelligence safety bill, arguing that it is not the best way to deal with the looming threats and opportunities presented by AI.
In a statement explaining the decision to veto the bill, Newsom noted that 32 of the top 50 AI companies are based in California, and that the bill would really focus on only the largest companies, which would potentially undercut any safety benefits.
“While well-intentioned, SB 1047 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,” Newsom wrote in his letter explaining the veto. “Instead, the bill applies stringent standards to even the most basic functions — so long as a large system deploys it. I do not believe this is the best approach to protecting the public from real threats posed by the technology.”
He also noted that he had signed many bills that focus or touch on risks associated with AI (earlier this month, for example, he signed bills backed by SAG-AFTRA regulating AI performance replicas).
“This year, the legislature sent me several thoughtful proposals to regulate Al companies in response to current, rapidly evolving risks — including threats to our democratic process, the spread of misinformation and deepfakes, risks to online privacy, threats to critical infrastructure and disruptions in the workforce,” Newsom said Sunday. “These bills, and actions by my administration, are guided by principles of accountability, fairness and transparency of Al systems and deployment of Al technology in California.”
SB 1047 was a hot button bill, opposed by Silicon Valley by backed by many in Hollywood, including J.J. Abrams, Jane Fonda, Pedro Pascal, Shonda Rhimes and Mark Hamill. However, it also garnered opposition from connected power players like former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who argued that federal legislation should step in and fill that safety gap.
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