California Governor Gavin Newsom vetoes landmark AI safety bill

California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill aimed at regulating powerful artificial intelligence models, citing concerns that the legislation was too stringent and could stifle innovation. The bill, known as SB-1047, would have imposed some of the first AI regulations in the US, making artificial intelligence companies legally liable for damage caused by their models. Newsom acknowledged that the bill was "well-intentioned" but expressed concerns that it could have unintended consequences, such as driving smaller, specialized models that may be equally or even more dangerous. This decision comes despite opposition from some tech industry leaders, including Elon Musk, who supported the bill. California already has a number of AI laws on the books targeting potential harms, but this bill was seen as a more comprehensive effort to regulate the industry.