California State Senator Scott Wiener, while supporting an artificial intelligence bill, said that safety cannot be left solely in the hands of technology companies and venture capitalists.
Support for AI Bill
California’s “Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act,” also known as Senate Bill 1047, requires AI developers to put together security protocols to curb incidents such as major cyberattacks. Despite criticisms, the Assembly Appropriations Committee passed Senator Scott Wiener’s SB 1047 with significant amendments. Senator Wiener defended the bill, noting that companies are willing to test safety but “balk at oversight” and regulation.
Opposition from Policymakers
The AI bill has faced criticism, including from Congresswoman Emerita Nancy Pelosi, who said that while the bill is well-intentioned, it is ill-informed. Democrat Zoe Lofgren also expressed that the bill would create “unnecessary risks” for both the public and California’s economy.
Startups Not Covered in AI Bill
Senator Wiener noted that startups are not covered by the bill and that companies like Google and Meta oppose it. The bill has passed the Senate with bipartisan support and must be approved by the Assembly by August 31. Wiener added that he would welcome a strong federal AI safety law to preempt SB 1047.
The AI bill in California continues to spark debate among policymakers and technology companies. Senator Wiener’s support is based on the need for safety regulation, despite external resistance and criticism.
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