California Lawmaker Slams Silicon Valley Over AI Bill Misinformation
The Controversial Veto of SB 1047 and Its Aftermath
California State Senator Scott Wiener has launched a scathing critique of Silicon Valley following Governor Gavin Newsom’s veto of SB 1047, the controversial AI regulation bill. The proposed legislation, which aimed to establish safety protocols for advanced AI systems, became a lightning rod for debate before its ultimate rejection on September 29, 2024.
The Misinformation Battle
Wiener claims the bill faced an unprecedented “propaganda campaign” from tech industry leaders:
- False claims about jail time: Venture firms allegedly spread misinformation that developers could face imprisonment under the bill
- Exaggerated economic impact: Claims that SB 1047 would drive AI startups from California were misleading, according to Wiener
- Open source confusion: Critics allegedly misrepresented how the bill would affect open source AI development
“I’ve never had a bill with this level of misinformation,” Wiener told TechCrunch, specifically calling out Y Combinator and Andreessen Horowitz for their opposition tactics.
Key Points of Contention
1. The Jail Time Debate
While SB 1047 did include potential penalties for false safety reporting, Wiener emphasizes these would only apply in cases of deliberate deception:
- The bill included perjury provisions for knowingly false safety certifications
- No penalties existed for good-faith development efforts
- Tech leaders allegedly exaggerated the legal risks to developers
2. The California Exodus Argument
Opponents claimed SB 1047 would force AI companies to leave California, but Wiener counters:
- The bill would have applied to any company doing business in California
- Similar regulations would likely emerge in other states
- The “California exodus” narrative oversimplified the bill’s actual impact
3. Open Source Implications
The debate included significant discussion about SB 1047’s potential effects on open source AI:
- Critics claimed the bill would force model providers to shut down open source projects
- Wiener maintains the bill only applied to models in a developer’s possession
- Prominent AI researcher Fei-Fei Li’s criticism drew particular ire from Wiener
The Governor’s Surprising Veto Rationale
Governor Newsom’s veto message contained an unexpected critique:
- Rather than calling the bill too restrictive, Newsom argued it wasn’t comprehensive enough
- The governor suggested focusing only on large models created a false sense of security
- Newsom proposed a more flexible framework covering smaller, potentially dangerous models
What’s Next for AI Regulation in California?
Despite the veto, SB 1047 has left a lasting impact:
- The debate has intensified discussions around AI safety
- Newsom announced a new AI task force featuring Fei-Fei Li and other experts
- California passed 18 other AI-related laws in September 2024
Wiener hasn’t ruled out reintroducing a revised version of SB 1047 in future legislative sessions. “We’re absolutely committed to promoting AI safety,” he stated, signaling this battle over AI governance is far from over.
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