Governor Newsom Vetoes AI Safety Bill
California Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a proposed bill meant to implement safety protocols for AI models, disappointing Hollywood talent and AI critics.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has come under scrutiny following his veto of a bill meant to regulate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models. The legislation, Senate Bill 1047 (SB 1047), was designed to implement safety measures for AI technology, but Newsom’s decision to block it has sparked criticism from AI safety advocates, Hollywood figures, and the bill’s sponsor, State Senator Scott Wiener.
Wiener expressed his frustration with the veto on X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the missed opportunity for California to become a leader on AI regulation. Wiener warned that by leaving AI safety decisions to private companies, the public is left vulnerable to the risks posed by rapidly advancing AI technologies.
Introduced earlier this year, SB 1047 had a diverse group of backers, including labor unions, AI researchers, and Hollywood talent. It was the opposition from tech giants like Google and Meta, who voiced concerns that the bill might stifle innovation, that contributed to Newsom’s decision to veto the legislation. The tech industry’s influence in shaping this outcome has been a point of contention for many AI safety advocates.
Hollywood’s involvement in the debate over AI safety has been notable. Just days before Newsom’s decision, more than 125 performers, producers and filmmakers signed an open letter to persuade the governor to sign the bill. Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt, an outspoken advocate for AI safety, was among those critical of the veto, warning that, without regulations, the industry risks repeating mistakes made with social media.
SB 1047 would have introduced safety testing requirements for "Frontier Models" of AI—advanced systems with immense computing power that carry greater risks. The bill also called for a “kill switch” mechanism that would employ a shutdown of models if they posed a danger. For all of these risks, Newsom argued that the bill’s regulations were overly broad. In his veto message, he acknowledged the need for AI regulation but emphasized the importance of creating a procedure that evolves with the technology.
While Newsom’s veto disappointed many, the governor has reiterated his pledge of AI safety. On the same day as the veto, he announced plans to develop feasible limitations for AI, enlisting experts like Dr. Fei-Fei Li of Stanford University and UC Berkeley’s Jennifer Tour Chayes to help shape the state’s regulatory approach. Newsom also highlighted the 17 other AI-related bills he has signed into law, addressing issues like AI-generated content, protections for workers and children, and deepfake misinformation.
For now, the debate over AI regulation continues, with critics of the veto promising that the fight is far from over. Newsom’s decision has sparked conversations not only in California but also across the country about how to balance innovation with the need for public safety in the rapidly evolving field of artificial intelligence.