California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a significant artificial intelligence (AI) safety bill, citing concerns that it could hinder innovation and push AI developers to relocate outside the state.
The bill, proposed by Senator Scott Wiener, aimed to introduce some of the first AI regulations in the US but faced substantial opposition from major tech companies like OpenAI, Google, and Meta.
If enacted, the legislation would have mandated safety testing for advanced AI models and required developers to implement a “kill switch” to shut down systems if they posed a threat.
It would have also enforced official oversight on the development of the most powerful AI systems, known as “Frontier Models.”
Newsom argued that the bill’s stringent standards were too broad, applying not just to high-risk AI systems but also to “the most basic functions” of large-scale AI, regardless of their application.
He expressed concerns that such regulations could stifle technological progress in California, a hub for leading AI firms.
In response, Wiener criticized the veto, stating it allows companies to continue developing a “powerful technology” without government oversight.
He emphasized that the decision leaves AI firms with “no binding restrictions from US policymakers,” especially as Congress remains deadlocked on regulating the tech industry.
Despite blocking the bill, Newsom has committed to developing measures to protect the public from the potential risks of AI.
He recently signed 17 bills, including legislation aimed at curbing misinformation and deep fakes created by generative AI.
With California playing a crucial role as the home to many of the world’s largest tech companies, any regulations introduced in the state could have far-reaching implications for the global AI industry.
Source-BBC
