California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a significant artificial intelligence (AI) safety bill that aimed to establish some of the first regulations on AI in the United States. The proposed legislation faced substantial opposition from major technology companies, which argued it could stifle innovation and drive AI developers out of the state.
Senator Scott Wiener, the bill’s author, criticized the governor’s decision, stating that it allows companies to develop powerful AI technologies without any government oversight. The legislation would have mandated safety testing for the most advanced AI models and required developers to incorporate a “kill switch,” enabling organizations to isolate and deactivate AI systems that posed a threat. Additionally, it sought official oversight for the development of “Frontier Models,” or the most advanced AI systems.
In his veto statement, Newsom expressed concerns that the bill did not adequately differentiate between high-risk AI applications and those with more basic functions. He remarked that the legislation imposed stringent standards on all systems, regardless of their risk level.
Despite blocking the bill, Newsom announced plans to safeguard the public against potential AI risks and has enlisted leading experts to help create appropriate safeguards. Recently, he also signed 17 bills aimed at combating misinformation and regulating deep fakes—content generated by AI technologies.
California is home to some of the largest and most advanced AI firms globally, including OpenAI, which developed ChatGPT. The state’s influence as a tech hub means that any regulatory measures introduced could have far-reaching implications for the industry at both national and international levels.
Wiener noted that the veto leaves AI companies without any binding restrictions from U.S. policymakers, particularly in light of Congress’s ongoing paralysis in implementing meaningful tech industry regulations. Major firms like OpenAI, Google, and Meta had voiced strong opposition to the bill, claiming it would hinder the development of essential technologies.
