California won’t require big tech firms to test safety of AI after Newsom kills bill

Governor vetoes bill that would require generative AI safety testing after tech industry says it'd drive companies away

California governor Gavin Newsom on Sunday vetoed a hotly contested artificial intelligence safety bill after the tech industry raised objections. Newsom said that requiring companies to stress test large AI models before releasing them could drive AI businesses from the state and hinder innovation.

California is home to 32 of the world's 50 leading AI companies," the governor said in a statement accompanying the veto. The bill applies stringent standards to even the most basic functions - so long as a large system deploys it. I do not believe this is the best approach to protecting the public from real threats posed by the technology."