Recently, California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed a highly anticipated AI bill, SB 1047, which was considered one of the nation’s most far-reaching regulations on the booming AI industry. The bill would have held AI companies legally liable for harms caused by AI and enabled a “kill switch” if systems went rogue.

In his decision, Newsom stated that while he agrees that the development of AI technology requires appropriate regulation, he believes that SB 1047 has some critical issues. Firstly, the bill could negatively impact innovation, hindering the progress of AI technology. Secondly, certain provisions in the bill may be difficult to enforce, especially when dealing with multinational corporations. Additionally, Newsom pointed out that the “kill switch” mechanism proposed in the bill may not be practical, as this technology is not yet mature.

Despite this, Newsom’s decision has sparked widespread debate. Supporters argue that the development of AI technology must be accompanied by strict legal oversight to protect public interests. They point out that AI system failures have already led to serious accidents, such as those involving autonomous vehicles. Opponents, however, believe that overregulation can stifle innovation and slow down technological advancement. They emphasize that the healthy development of the AI industry requires a balanced regulatory environment that promotes innovation while protecting user rights.