What happened
California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act (SB 1047), which would have been the most ambitious AI regulation in the U.S.
The bill aimed to introduce strict safety requirements for AI models costing over $100 million to develop, including a mandatory “kill switch” and other safety measures to protect the public.
Newsom rejected the bill, citing concerns that it did not distinguish between high-risk AI systems and those performing basic tasks. He argued that the bill applied overly broad standards, making it burdensome for AI companies to comply, regardless of the AI’s function.
Despite support from AI advocates like Elon Musk and the Center for AI Safety, tech giants like Meta, Google, and OpenAI fiercely opposed the bill, stating it would slow AI innovation and harm California’s leadership in technology.
Why it matters:
This veto sparks a critical debate about how to create AI regulations that protect the public without choking innovation, highlighting the ongoing struggle to find the right balance in governing cutting-edge technology.