Key Takeaways:
California lawmakers are considering legislation that would require artificial intelligence companies to test their systems and add safety measures so they can’t be potentially manipulated to wipe out the state’s electric grid or help build chemical weapons.
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Experts warn that these scenarios could be possible as technology evolves at warp speed.
The Legislation in Detail
Legislators plan to vote Tuesday on this first-of-its-kind bill, which aims to reduce risks created by AI.
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It is fiercely opposed by tech companies, including Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, and Google. They argue the regulations unfairly target developers and should focus instead on those who use and exploit AI systems for harm.
Proponent’s Perspective
Scott Wiener, who authored the bill, emphasized the importance of the proposal in preventing “catastrophic harms” from extremely powerful AI models that may be created in the future.
“This is not about smaller AI models,” Wiener said at a recent legislative hearing. “This is about incredibly large and powerful models that, as far as we know, do not exist today but will exist in the near future.”
The requirements would only apply to systems that cost more than $100 million in computing power to train, which no current AI models have hit as of July.
Government’s Stance
Gavin Newsom has touted California as an early AI adopter and regulator. He suggested the state could soon deploy generative AI tools to address highway congestion, make roads safer, and provide tax guidance.
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At the same time, his administration is considering new rules against AI discrimination in hiring practices. Newsom declined to comment on the bill but warned that overregulation could put the state in a “perilous position.”
Industry Opposition
A growing coalition of tech companies argues the requirements would discourage companies from developing large AI systems or keeping their technology open-source.
“The bill will make the AI ecosystem less safe, jeopardize open-source models relied on by startups and small businesses, rely on standards that do not exist, and introduce regulatory fragmentation,” Rob Sherman, Meta vice president and deputy chief privacy officer, wrote in a letter sent to lawmakers.
Potential Economic Impact
According to the state’s Chamber of Commerce, the proposal could drive companies out of state to avoid the regulations.
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Opponents advocate for waiting for more guidance from the federal government. They fear premature action might repeat the mistakes made in not acting soon enough to reign in social media companies.
Additional Legislative Efforts
State lawmakers were also considering Tuesday another ambitious measure to fight automation discrimination when companies use AI models to screen job resumes and rental apartment applications.
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This legislation highlights the ongoing struggle to balance innovation with safety, and its outcome could set a significant precedent for AI regulation nationwide.
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