Tech billionaire Elon Musk has publicly endorsed California’s contentious SB 1047, a bill aimed at regulating artificial intelligence (AI) by holding tech companies and developers accountable for safety testing and cyberattack safeguards, Fox Business reports.
The billionaire, who also owns the social media platform X, shared his perspective through a post on the site, acknowledging the complexities and potential backlash of his stance.
“This is a tough call and will make some people upset, but, all things considered, I think California should probably pass the SB 1047 AI safety bill,” Musk stated. “For over 20 years, I have been an advocate for AI regulation, just as we regulate any product/technology that is a potential risk to the public.”
The proposed legislation mandates that developers who invest over $100 million in building an AI model must implement rigorous safety testing and put in place protections against potential cyberattacks. Furthermore, the bill empowers the state attorney general to pursue civil action against developers whose AI models cause “critical harm,” defined as incidents resulting in mass casualties or damages exceeding $500 million.
Additionally, SB 1047 requires developers to establish protocols allowing for the immediate “full shutdown” of their AI models if necessary. The bill also includes protections for whistleblowers who report safety violations or harmful practices.
This bill is part of a broader legislative effort in California, with state lawmakers attempting to introduce 65 different AI-related bills during the current session, as reported by Reuters. However, many of these proposals have already been shelved. As the 2024 US presidential election approaches, experts are increasingly concerned about the role of AI and other technologies in spreading misinformation.
