Elon Musk Supports California Bill Mandating AI Safety Testing

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of social media platform X, has voiced his support for a new California bill that would require tech companies and AI developers to conduct safety testing on some of their AI models. Musk, a long-time advocate for AI regulation, called for the passage of the SB 1047 bill, emphasizing the need for oversight in the rapidly advancing field of artificial intelligence.

Elon Musk supports California's AI bill SB 1047, calling for mandatory safety testing on AI models to protect public safety. Photo: Reuters

Musk's support is directed at SB 1047, a bill currently under consideration by California lawmakers. If passed, the bill would require companies involved in AI development to perform safety tests on specific models, ensuring that these technologies do not pose undue risks to the public. "For over 20 years, I have been an advocate for AI regulation, just as we regulate any product or technology that is a potential risk to the public," Musk stated in his post, urging California to take action.

The push for AI regulation comes at a time when the state legislature is actively considering numerous AI-related bills. According to California's legislative database, 65 bills touching on various aspects of AI were introduced this legislative season. These proposals include measures to ensure the fairness of algorithmic decisions and to protect the intellectual property of deceased individuals from AI exploitation. However, many of these bills have already been dismissed.

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Earlier in the day, OpenAI, which is backed by Microsoft, expressed support for a different AI-related bill in California, known as AB 3211. This bill would require tech companies to label AI-generated content, particularly in the context of political misinformation. With elections taking place in countries representing a third of the world's population this year, experts are increasingly concerned about the impact of AI-generated content, which has already played a significant role in elections, such as in Indonesia.

Musk's support for AI regulation underscores the growing concern among tech leaders and policymakers about the ethical implications of AI. As AI technologies continue to evolve, the push for robust safety measures and transparent regulation is expected to intensify.

Source: Reuters