Gavin Newsom Vetoes AI Safety Bill Amid Silicon Valley Pressure
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed an AI safety bill that would have required advanced AI models to undergo rigorous safety testing before deployment. The bill, introduced by State Senator Scott Wiener, aimed to impose strict safety regulations on powerful AI technologies but faced fierce opposition from major tech companies and prominent figures in Silicon Valley.
Newsom’s decision has stirred controversy, as the veto comes at a time when AI regulation is seen as increasingly crucial. In his veto message, Newsom explained that the bill applied overly stringent regulations to AI systems without considering the varying levels of risk associated with their use.
“The legislation does not take into account whether an AI system is deployed in high-risk environments, involves critical decision-making, or uses sensitive data,” said Newsom. “I do not believe this is the best approach to protecting the public from real threats posed by the technology.”
Silicon Valley’s Influence
The proposed legislation sparked significant debate, with tech giants like OpenAI and venture capital firms such as A16z expressing strong opposition. These companies, many of which are headquartered in California.
They argued that the bill would impose heavy burdens on AI developers — particularly startups. Newsom, who has maintained close ties with Silicon Valley, faced intense lobbying from both the tech industry and influential Democrats in Washington. This included former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The bill’s supporters, however, saw it as an opportunity for California to lead the way in regulating AI. With Congress slow to act on the issue, state lawmakers believed that California could set a national precedent.
Despite this, Newsom’s veto aligns with his previous warnings that overregulation could stifle the growth of the AI industry and undermine the state’s economic competitiveness.
Divided Opinions
While opponents like OpenAI and Google opposed the bill, several prominent figures, including Elon Musk and leading AI researchers, supported the measure as a safeguard against potential dangers such as the misuse of AI for creating bioweapons. Proponents argued that the rapid advancement of AI technologies posed too great a risk to go unregulated.
Senator Wiener expressed disappointment in Newsom’s decision, saying, “This veto is a missed opportunity for California to once again lead on innovative tech regulation… and we are all less safe as a result.”
A Lighter Approach to AI Regulation
Though Newsom vetoed the bill, he did sign a less comprehensive law requiring California’s emergency response agency to study AI risks. The governor also committed to working on future legislation to impose AI guardrails in collaboration with academic experts like Dr. Fei-Fei Li from Stanford University.
Additionally, Newsom pledged to expand workplace AI applications through partnerships between organized labor and private businesses. California’s AI regulation debate will likely continue, as concerns about the technology’s impact on public safety, elections, and employment remain at the forefront of legislative discussions.
The Road Ahead
The veto underscores the tension between regulating emerging technologies and maintaining economic competitiveness. As AI continues to develop California’s role in shaping its future will be closely watched by both proponents and critics of stricter oversight.
