California’s bold AI regulation bill sparks debate, Musk backs it, but Google and Meta disagree

This groundbreaking legislation aims to ensure that major AI developers take responsibility for their creations, especially those investing over $100 million in developing AI models.

Although the bill has met with approval, California State Senator Scott Wiener, co-author of the bill, accused some opponents of engaging in “scaremongering” to prevent the bill from being passed at the state level.

What is the AI ​​Security Act SB 1047 about?

The AI ​​Safety Act, SB 1047, would impose more responsibility on any developer who spends more than $100 million to build an AI model. Requirements include: Safety testing, which would require companies to thoroughly test their AI models to ensure they are safe. Developers would be required to put safeguards in place to prevent their AI from causing harm. If an AI model causes severe harm, such as mass casualties or damages over $500 million, the state’s attorney general can take action against the developer.

Independent audits would be required to verify the safety and compliance of AI models, and AI systems would have to have a built-in kill switch to shut them down immediately if necessary. The bill will also protect individuals who report unsafe practices in AI companies.

Regulation of artificial intelligence triggers debate

As AI technology has advanced rapidly, concerns about its potential risks have also grown. Proponents of SB 1047 argue that without proper regulation, AI could pose significant dangers to society. On the other hand, opponents, including major technology companies, fear that the bill could stifle innovation and make California a less attractive location for AI research and startups.

Who supports the bill?

Elon Musk, the owner of AI company xAI, has pledged his support for SB 1047. “This is a difficult decision and will upset some people, but all in all I think California should probably pass the AI ​​safety bill SB 1047,” he wrote on X.

He emphasized the need to regulate AI to protect the public, saying, “For over 20 years, I have been an advocate of regulating AI, just as we regulate any product/technology that poses a potential risk to the public.”

Senator Scott Wiener, a key sponsor of the bill, has received support from several notable figures in the AI ​​community. He was joined at a virtual press conference by AI experts such as Yoshua Bengio and leaders from safety organizations such as Dan Hendrycks of the Center for AI Safety.

Who is against the regulation of AI?

Not everyone agrees. Big names like Google, Meta and OpenAI have voiced their concerns, arguing that the law’s strict rules could hinder AI development and put California at a competitive disadvantage.

In a letter to Wiener, Jason Kwon, chief strategy officer at OpenAI, wrote that while his company supports some provisions of the law, the decision on AI regulation should be left to the federal government.

Dr. Fei-Fei Li of Stanford University warned that the bill could negatively impact smaller players in the AI ​​space, including those in academia and the public sector. In addition, some Democratic lawmakers, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, called for a veto, as they believe AI regulation should be done at the federal level.

AI regulation: The way forward

SB 1047 has already passed the Senate and will head to the State Assembly for a vote later this week. After several amendments, the bill will be sent back to the Senate for a final vote. If passed, the bill will be sent to Governor Gavin Newsom for his signature. So far, Newsom has not indicated whether he will support the bill.