The AI bill’s passage was not without hurdles. Tech companies developing generative AI have largely opposed the legislation, called SB 1047, saying it could drive AI companies out of the state and stifle innovation.
Several Democrats in the US Congress, including Representative Nancy Pelosi, also opposed it.
Its supporters include Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who also runs an AI company called xAI.
The AI bill requires safety testing for many of the most advanced AI models that cost more than $100 million to develop or that require a certain amount of computing power.
AI software developers operating in the state would also need to outline a method for turning off an AI model if it is not working as intended, effectively a kill switch.
The bill also gives state attorneys general the power to sue if developers don’t comply, particularly in the case of ongoing threats, such as AI taking over government systems like the power grid.
Additionally, the bill would require developers to hire third-party auditors to assess their safety practices and provide additional protections to whistleblowers who raise concerns about AI abuse.
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The bill’s author, Democratic State Sen. Scott Wiener, who represents San Francisco, home to OpenAI and many startups developing such sophisticated software, said the legislation is needed to protect the public before advances in AI become uncontrolled or unmanageable. 
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