California Governor Newsom Rejects AI Safety Bill, Citing Innovation Concerns
California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a highly contested artificial intelligence (AI) safety bill, sparking debate among lawmakers and the tech industry. The bill, known as SB 1047 or the Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act, aimed to implement mandatory safety testing for AI models, along with other guardrails to prevent potential risks from the rapidly evolving technology.
Despite its safety focus, the bill received significant pushback from Silicon Valley, with concerns it could stifle innovation. Newsom, in a September 29 statement, argued that the bill failed to address the “real” threats posed by AI, while also impeding the growth of cutting-edge technologies.
Newsom’s Concerns Over Innovation and Public Safety
In his veto statement, Newsom criticized the bill’s narrow focus on regulating top AI firms like OpenAI, Meta, and Google, without addressing broader public safety concerns. He explained, “We cannot wait for a major disaster to happen before we take steps to safeguard the public.” However, this bill does not provide the right framework to mitigate the real risks posed by AI.
SB 1047, proposed by San Francisco Democratic Senator Scott Wiener, sought to enforce stringent safety measures, including a mandatory “kill switch” for AI models to stop them in emergencies and detailed plans to mitigate extreme risks. The bill also proposed holding AI developers liable in cases where their models could present ongoing threats, such as an AI grid takeover.
Newsom noted that while he vetoed the bill, the state is committed to advancing responsible AI development. He stated that he has asked leading AI safety experts to assist in creating workable “science-based guardrails” to prevent AI-related disasters.
“We need to take action on AI, but it must be science-driven and avoid stifling innovation. The focus should be on the real threats.”
— Gavin Newsom, Governor of California
Mixed Reactions From Politicians and Tech Leaders
The AI safety bill faced resistance not just from tech giants but also from key political figures. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and several technology firms, including OpenAI, voiced concerns that the bill would curb AI growth in California. The fear among some tech executives is that imposing overly strict regulations could drive AI development out of the state, hindering innovation and slowing progress.
Neil Chilson, head of AI policy at the Abundance Institute, warned that the bill could set a dangerous precedent. While it primarily targets large-scale models costing more than $100 million, Chilson raised concerns that its scope could easily expand to encompass smaller AI developers as well. This, he suggested, could cripple innovation at all levels of AI development.
However, not all industry leaders opposed the bill. Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, who is developing his own AI model called Grok, supported the proposed regulations. In an August 26 tweet, Musk expressed cautious approval of the bill, stating, “California should probably pass the SB 1047 AI safety bill,” though he admitted it was a “tough call.”
“California should probably pass the SB 1047 AI safety bill, but it’s a tough call.”
— Elon Musk, @elonmusk on X
The Future of AI Regulation in California
Despite the veto, Governor Newsom emphasized that AI safety remains a critical issue. Over the past 30 days, California has signed 18 new bills related to AI regulation. Newsom also directed state agencies to further evaluate the risks of catastrophic events stemming from the development of advanced AI models.
For now, the debate over SB 1047 highlights a broader conversation about how best to regulate emerging technologies while fostering innovation. As AI continues to evolve, California will likely remain at the forefront of shaping the policies that govern its future.
I am Toby Rothschild, Co-Founder of Spearmint and author at Coinography, and a strategist focused on advancing Web3 innovation, digital ecosystems, and the future of decentralized technology. I combine product thinking, creative leadership, and deep interest in emerging trends to help shape how individuals and organizations interact with the next generation of digital systems.
My work centers on understanding how blockchain, AI, and digital identity are reshaping global industries. At Spearmint, I help lead the direction of initiatives that bring clarity, structure, and meaningful user experiences to complex technological environments. I focus on bridging vision with execution, ensuring that innovation remains practical, scalable, and aligned with long-term growth.
As an author at Coinography, I create insights that translate fast-moving Web3 developments into clear, useful narratives. I explore topics such as decentralized governance, digital identity, creator economies, token models, protocol design, and the shifting cultural patterns around emerging technology. My aim is to make digital transformation more understandable and approachable for a wider audience.
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