Source URL: https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/18/california_newsom_ai_bills/
Source: The Register
Title: California governor goes on AI law signing spree, but demurs on the big one
Feedly Summary: Newsom still worried about SB 1047’s ‘chilling effect’ on AI industry tax dollar revenue innovation in California
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed five AI-related bills into law this week, but a pivotal one remains unsigned, and the Democrat politico isn’t sure about its future.…
AI Summary and Description: Yes
Summary: California Governor Gavin Newsom has signed five AI-related bills into law, focusing on regulations for the AI industry, particularly concerning human likeness protection and election misinformation. However, Senate Bill 1047 is under scrutiny for its broad implications on AI regulation, sparking debate between industry resistance and public support.
Detailed Description:
The text discusses recent actions by California Governor Gavin Newsom regarding AI regulation, highlighting both advancements and uncertainties in legislative measures. Specifically:
– **Legislation Signed**: Newsom signed five AI-related bills, demonstrating a proactive approach to regulate the AI field.
– **Senate Bill 1047**: This pivotal bill remains unsigned, with significant scrutiny:
– Proposed to impose transparency and guardrails on large AI models.
– Defines “frontier models” based on computational requirements and training costs.
– Requires companies to assess and report risks of critical harm from their AI systems.
– Calls for “kill switches” to deactivate AI models when necessary.
– **Industry Resistance and Public Support**: The AI industry views SB 1047 as unnecessarily restrictive, while public sentiment largely supports its provisions.
– **Governor’s Position**: Newsom has expressed concern about finding a balance between risk-taking and regulation. He fears legislation might stifle innovation and drive AI businesses away from California.
– Emphasizes the importance of being mindful of the regulatory impact on the open source community and overall industry growth.
– **Additional Bills**:
– **AB 2602 and AB 1836**: Protect actors from AI misuse of their likenesses.
– **AB 2655**: Mandates large platforms to manage deceptive AI-generated content during elections.
– **AB 2839**: Criminalizes the distribution of misinformation about elections.
– **AB 2355**: Requires disclosure of AI’s involvement in campaign materials.
– **Implications for Professionals**:
– Highlights the ongoing evolution of AI regulation.
– Signals a trend towards more scrutiny and accountability in AI deployment, particularly in sensitive areas like public elections and personal representation.
– Regulatory developments may influence compliance and governance frameworks within organizations operating in the AI space.
This legislative activity underscores a pivotal moment for AI regulation in the U.S., particularly in California, a hub for tech innovation, as it navigates public safety concerns versus industry growth.