Elon Musk backs California bill to regulate AI

Elon Musk backs California bill to regulate AI is profiled by BTW Media because published evidence links it to internet infrastructure, governance, operational dependencies, or market visibility.

• Elon Musk advocates for California’s SB 1047 AI safety bill, citing the need for tech regulation.
• SB 1047 is criticised by tech giants for being vague and potentially restrictive, while its author cites preventing catastrophic AI misuse.

OUR TAKE
Elon Musk is advocating for California’s SB 1047 bill, which would mandate safety testing for AI models. He supports the bill’s aim to mitigate catastrophic risks, despite criticism from tech giants and some lawmakers who argue it may hinder innovation. Musk’s stance on AI regulation, especially in contrast to other Silicon Valley figures and Democrats, highlights a significant debate on balancing safety with technological progress.
-Tacy Ding，BTW reporter

What happened

Tesla (TSLA.O) chief Elon Musk, who also owns the social media platform X, said on Monday that he believes California should pass an AI bill requiring tech companies and AI developers to conduct safety testing on some of their own models.

“For over 20 years, I have been an advocate for AI regulation, just as we regulate any product or technology that poses a potential risk to the public,” Musk said in a post on X, while urging the state to pass the SB 1047 bill.

California state lawmakers attempted to introduce 65 bills related to AI this legislative season, according to the state’s legislative database. These included measures to ensure that all algorithmic decisions are proven unbiased and to protect the intellectual property of deceased individuals from exploitation by AI companies. Many of these bills have already failed.

Earlier in the day, Microsoft (MSFT.O), opens new tab backed OpenAI voiced support for another AI bill from California, called AB 3211.

Also read：5 states urge Musk to tackle AI chatbots spreading election misinformation

Also read：Anthropic thinks benefits of California’s AI bill may outweigh costs

Why it‘s important

Senate Bill 1047 has been criticised by tech giants such as Marc Andreesen and OpenAI for what they describe as vague and burdensome regulations that could stifle open-sourced models. Its author, Democratic state Senator Scott Wiener, argues that the bill is aimed at preventing catastrophic harm to humanity, such as the misuse of AI to develop biological weapons.

Musk, in a post on X, said that supporting the bill was a “tough call and will probably upset some people,” but he believes it should be passed. His endorsement comes at a crucial moment for the proposal, which must be approved by the Legislature by the end of the week to reach Governor Gavin Newsom’s desk.

Musk’s position places him in opposition not only to influential figures in Silicon Valley but also to several Democrats in Congress who have voiced their concerns about the bill in recent weeks, including Representatives Zoe Lofgren, Ro Khanna, and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi.