In response to criticism from Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, California State Senator Scott Wiener defended an AI bill, urging that safety should not be utterly dependent on technology companies and VCs.
The Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act, also known as Senate Bill 1047, in California mandates that AI developers establish security protocols to mitigate incidents such as significant intrusions.
Despite the criticisms, the Assembly Appropriations Committee approved Senator Wiener’s SB 1047, which included substantial amendments introduced by the author.
Wiener has defended the measure, asserting that technology companies are committed to safety testing but “refuse to engage in oversight and regulation.”
“Innovation and safety are not mutually exclusive, and I reject the false assertion that we must entrust safety solely to technology companies and venture capitalists to innovate,” Senator Wiener stated.
“Although the vast majority of individuals creating innovations in the AI sector are highly ethical and aspire to serve society, we have also discovered through experience that pure industry self-regulation is not beneficial for society,” he continued.
Policymakers in the United States have expressed their opposition.
Representative Pelosi has been among those who have opposed the AI bill. She stated that SB 1047 is well-intentioned; however, it is misguided.
“While we want California to lead in AI in a way that protects consumers, data, intellectual property and more, SB 1047 is more harmful than helpful in that pursuit.”
Representative Zoe Lofgren, the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology ranking member, and others have expressed concern that the measure would generate “unnecessary risks for both the public and California’s economy.”
AI Bill does not Include Startups
Senator Weiner emphasized in his statement that the measure does not address startups and that Google and Meta are opposed to it:
“While we have engaged with the largest tech companies in addition to startups and academics, none of the largest developers support SB 1047, and most currently oppose it.”
The measure received bipartisan support in the Senate and is required to be passed by the Assembly by August 31.
“I would appreciate a robust federal AI safety law that preempts SB 1047.” According to Weiner, California should persist in its leadership of policies such as SB 1047 that promote innovation and safeguard the public until Congress can pass such legislation.
