The California State Assembly approved a controversial AI safety bill on Wednesday, sparking a heated debate among technology companies.
What happened: SB 1047 requires safety testing of advanced AI models that cost more than $100 million to develop or require significant computing power. The bill is currently awaiting Gov. Gavin Newsom's signature, Reuters reports.
The bill has faced opposition from AI companies, who argue that the law could impede their operations in the state and stifle innovation.
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The law would empower state attorneys general to sue non-compliant developers, especially given the ongoing threat of AI taking over government systems.
It would also require developers to hire third-party auditors to evaluate their safeguards, and would provide extra protection for whistleblowers.
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Why it matters: The bill's author, Democratic Sen. Scott Wiener of California, argues that the legislation is essential to protect the public from potential AI threats.
But tech giants including Alphabet Inc., Microsoft Corp. and Meta Platforms Inc. expressed concerns in letters to Weiner, the report noted.
The bill has sent ripples through the tech industry. Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk previously publicly voiced his support for the bill, calling it a tough decision but necessary. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has criticized the bill as well-intentioned but poorly informed.
Meanwhile, two former OpenAI employees criticized the company for opposing the bill, warning that without sufficient safeguards, it could have devastating effects on society.
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