The Controversial SB-1047 AI Bill Has Silicon Valley on High Alert

Experts are divided over whether it’s a necessary action or the worst mistake for AI

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The SB-1047 bill — which is set to become law on September 30th if everything goes according to plan and Governor Gavin Newsom signs it — could decide the future of Silicon Valley. Some say it’s for the better. Others say it’s the worst mistake California could make on AI in the two years since OpenAI released ChatGPT.

Democrat Sen. Scott Wiener introduced the bill in February 2024 to regulate the frontier AI space in California, taking inspiration from Joe Biden’s Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence. Wiener describes the bill as “legislation to ensure the safe development of large-scale artificial intelligence systems by establishing clear, predictable, common-sense safety standards for developers of the largest and most powerful AI systems.”

I’ve read it (the latest version after amendments). It isn’t hard even for someone like me who knows little about the law in general and much less about regulations specific to technology in California. I urge you to go read it even if you’re not a law expert or an AI expert. This bill, if successful, will turn into a precedent for other regulations inside and outside the US. Many of you are Californians (actually a striking 25%!) but even those of you who aren’t…