California Governor Newsom indicators landmark AI security invoice SB 53

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed SB 53, a first-in-the-nation invoice that units new transparency necessities on massive AI firms.

SB 53, which handed the state legislature two weeks in the past, requires massive AI labs – together with OpenAI, Anthropic, Meta, and Google DeepMind – to be clear about security protocols. IT additionally ensures whistleblower protections for workers at these firms.  

As well as, SB 53 creates a mechanism for AI firms and the general public to report potential important security incidents to California’s Workplace of Emergency Providers. Firms additionally should report incidents associated to crimes dedicated with out human oversight, similar to cyberattacks, and misleading habits by a mannequin that isn’t required underneath the EU AI Act.  

The invoice has acquired combined reactions from the AI business. Tech companies have broadly argued that state-level AI coverage dangers making a “patchwork of regulation” that might hinder innovation, though Anthropic endorsed the invoice. Meta and OpenAi lobbied in opposition to IT. OpenAI even wrote and revealed an open letter to Gov. Newsom that discouraged his signing of SB 53.

The brand new invoice comes as a few of Silicon Valley’s tech elite have pour a whole bunch of thousands and thousands into tremendous PACs to again candidates that assist a light-touch strategy to AI regulation. Leaders at OpenAI and Meta have in current weeks launched pro-AI tremendous PACs that goal to again candidates and payments which might be pleasant to AI. 

Nonetheless, different states may look to California for inspiration as they try to curb the potential harms attributable to the unmitigated development of such a robust rising Technology. In New York, an identical invoice was handed by state lawmakers and is awaiting Gov. Kathy Hochul’s signature or veto.  

“California has confirmed that we are able to set up laws to guard our communities whereas additionally guaranteeing that the rising AI business continues to thrive,” Newsom mentioned in a press release. “This laws strikes that steadiness. AI is the brand new frontier in innovation, and California will not be solely right here for IT – however stands robust as a nationwide chief by enacting the first-in-the-nation frontier AI security laws that builds public belief as this rising Technology quickly evolves.” 

The governor can also be weighing one other invoice – SB 243 – that handed each the State Meeting and Senate with bipartisan assist this month. The invoice would regulate AI companion chatbots, requiring operators to implement security protocols, and maintain them legally accountable if their bots fail to meet these requirements.  

SB 53 is Senator Scott Wiener’s second try at an AI security invoice after Newsom vetoed his extra sweeping SB 1047 final 12 months amid main pushback from AI firms. With this invoice, Wiener reached out to major AI companies to aim to assist them perceive the adjustments he made to the invoice.