California Senate Bill 1047, known as the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act, would require powerful AI models to undergo safety testing before they can be released to the public and would hold developers liable for severe harms caused by their models.
The bill must pass the state Legislature by the end of the week to reach Gov. Gavin Newsom's (D) desk.
Major technology firms, AI startups and researchers are split over whether the legislation would stifle innovation on the rapidly developing technology, or put in place much-needed guardrails.
Billionaire tech mogul Elon Musk, who owns the AI company xAI, came out in support of S.B. 1047 on Monday, saying it was a "tough call" and acknowledging that his decision might "make some people upset."
"All things considered, I think California should probably pass the SB 1047 AI safety bill," the Tesla and SpaceX CEO wrote on his social platform, X. "For over 20 years, I have been an advocate for AI regulation, just as we regulate any product/technology that is a potential risk to the public."
But former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and several other California lawmakers have come out against S.B. 1047. In a statement earlier this month, Pelosi said "many" in Congress view the legislation as "well-intentioned but ill informed."
"AI springs from California," the former Speaker said. "We must have legislation that is a model for the nation and the world. We have the opportunity and responsibility to enable small entrepreneurs and academia – not big tech – to dominate."
Eight California Democrats — Reps. Zoe Lofgren, Anna Eshoo, Ro Khanna, Scott Peters, Tony Cárdenas, Ami Bera, Nanette Díaz Barragán and Lou Correa — also sent a letter to Newsom urging him to veto the bill if it reaches his desk.
"It is somewhat unusual for us, as sitting Members of Congress, to provide views on state legislation," they wrote. "However, we have serious concerns about SB 1047 … and we felt compelled to make those concerns known to California state policymakers."
Read more in a full report at TheHill.com.
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