California Governor Blocks AI Safety Bill Amid Industry Concerns

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a landmark artificial intelligence (AI) safety bill that aimed to introduce some of the first regulations on AI technology in the US. The bill, which faced strong opposition from major tech companies, would have required advanced AI models to undergo safety testing and included mandatory oversight for “Frontier Models,” the most powerful AI systems.

Governor Newsom argued that the legislation could stifle innovation and potentially drive AI developers out of California. He expressed concerns that the bill applied stringent standards to even basic AI functions, without considering whether the AI systems were deployed in high-risk environments or involved critical decision-making.

Despite the veto, Newsom announced plans to develop alternative safeguards for AI technology, seeking advice from experts to protect the public from potential risks. This comes as part of broader efforts to address AI challenges, including recently signed legislation aimed at combating deep fakes and misinformation.

Senator Scott Wiener, who authored the bill, expressed disappointment, warning that without oversight, AI developers would continue to advance a powerful technology without necessary safety measures. Meanwhile, experts like Wei Sun from Counterpoint Research argue that AI is still in its early stages, and regulating specific high-risk applications might be a more effective approach.