Controversial Artificial Intelligence Safety Bill Passes California Legislature [Video]

Tech companies developing generative AI say the measure could drive AI companies from the state and hinder innovation.

A controversial bill requiring developers of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models to adopt safety measures has just passed the state legislature and is poised to become California law.

The bill, SB 1047, would require developers of future advanced AI models to create guardrails to prevent the technology from being misused to conduct cyberattacks on critical infrastructure such as power plants.

Developers would need to submit their safety plans to the attorney general, who could hold them liable if AI models they directly control were to cause harm or imminent threat to public safety.

The bill, introduced by Sen. Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), passed the state Assembly on Wednesday, with 41 votes in favor and nine opposed. On Thursday, the measure was approved by the state Senate in a concurrence vote. It now heads to …