California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a contentious artificial intelligence safety bill following significant pushback from the tech industry, which argued that the legislation could drive AI companies out of the state and stifle innovation.
In his veto statement, Newsom emphasized that the bill failed to differentiate between AI systems deployed in high-risk environments or those involving critical decision-making and sensitive data. He criticized the legislation for imposing “stringent standards” on even basic AI functions, regardless of their complexity or impact.
The governor has engaged leading experts in generative AI to assist California in developing “workable guardrails” that prioritize empirical, science-based assessments of AI risks. He also directed state agencies to broaden their evaluations of potential catastrophic events linked to AI usage.
Generative AI, capable of producing text, images, and videos based on open-ended prompts, has generated excitement but also significant concerns regarding its potential to disrupt jobs, influence elections, and pose serious threats to humanity.
Senator Scott Wiener, the bill’s author and a Democratic state legislator, argued that the legislation was essential to protect the public as AI technology advances rapidly. Some industry leaders have expressed concerns about the future of AI companies in California if the bill were to be enacted.
Wiener criticized the veto, stating that it makes California less safe and allows companies to develop powerful technologies without binding restrictions. He remarked that “voluntary commitments from industry are not enforceable and rarely benefit the public.”
While Newsom acknowledged the need for protective measures, he expressed his disagreement with settling for a solution that lacks empirical analysis of AI systems. He committed to collaborating with the legislature on AI legislation in the upcoming session, amid stalled efforts in Congress and ongoing regulatory proposals from the Biden administration.
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