California Governor Gavin Newsom Expresses Concerns Over State’s Controversial AI Bill

California Governor Gavin Newsom has voiced his worries regarding the state's contentious AI bill, expressing concerns about its potential impact on AI development. The governor emphasized his apprehension about a possible "chilling effect" that the bill could have on the advancement of AI technology. Newsom is facing a deadline of September 30 to either approve or reject the bill.

Governor Newsom's Remarks at Salesforce Event

Speaking at Salesforce's Dreamforce event in San Francisco, Governor Newsom highlighted his concerns about the consequences of the AI bill. He stressed the importance of maintaining California's leading position in the AI sector and cautioned against the negative repercussions that could arise from endorsing misguided legislation over time.

Divided Opinions in Silicon Valley

California's AI bill, known as SB 1047, has sparked a division among Silicon Valley leaders. While influential figures such as Elon Musk and Anthropic's Dario Amodei have voiced their support for the bill, it has encountered opposition from OpenAI's Sam Altman. The proposed measures in the bill aim to address the risks associated with powerful AI models by mandating companies in California to permit third-party safety testing of their AI models.

Key Provisions of the AI Bill

In addition to the safety testing requirement, the AI bill includes a provision for a "full shutdown," which serves as a fail-safe mechanism for AI systems. The bill was approved by the state's lawmakers last month and is now awaiting Governor Newsom's decision on whether to enact it into law or veto it.

Governor's Stance on AI Regulation

While Governor Newsom has not publicly revealed his stance on the AI bill, he has previously endorsed legislation targeting the use of AI in political advertisements and unauthorized exploitation of celebrities' likenesses. Despite the growing concerns surrounding AI regulation, the governor's office has yet to provide a formal statement on the matter.

Representatives for Governor Newsom have not responded to requests for comments from Business Insider outside of regular business hours. The deadline for Governor Newsom to make a decision on the AI bill looms, with stakeholders eagerly awaiting his final verdict.

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By: bnolan@insider.com (Beatrice Nolan)
Title: California Governor Gavin Newsom Expresses Concerns Over State’s Controversial AI Bill
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/gov-newsom-says-hes-worried-californias-ai-bill-2024-9
Published Date: Wed, 18 Sep 2024 11:35:24 +0000