Elon Musk has thrown his weight behind one of California’s most hotly debated AI policy proposals, voicing support for Senate Bill 1047—a measure that mandates safety testing for large-scale AI models.
The bill, introduced by Democratic state Sen. Scott Wiener, has faced fierce criticism from industry heavyweights like Marc Andreesen and OpenAI.
They argue that the proposed regulations are both vague and overly burdensome, potentially stifling innovation in open-source AI models.
However, Wiener counters that the bill is a necessary safeguard against potential catastrophic misuse of AI, such as the development of biological weapons by malicious actors.
Musk, known for his leadership at Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X, took to X to express his nuanced support for the bill, acknowledging that his stance might ruffle some feathers.
“It’s a tough call and will probably make some people upset,” Musk admitted, yet he believes the bill should pass.
His endorsement arrives at a critical juncture, with the bill needing legislative approval by week’s end to land on Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk.
“For over 20 years, I have been an advocate for AI regulation, just as we regulate any product/technology that is a potential risk to the public,” Musk emphasized.
This isn’t Musk’s first foray into the AI debate. He has previously called for a pause in developing super-powerful AI systems, though he has more recently embraced generative AI.
His platform, X, recently rolled out Grok, a tool that enables users to create and share computer-generated images from text prompts—a move that has already stirred concerns over the spread of misinformation and deepfakes.
Musk’s stance places him at odds with some of Silicon Valley’s most influential figures and several Democratic leaders in Congress, including Reps. Zoe Lofgren, Ro Khanna, and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who have spoken out against the bill.
This development also introduces a complex dynamic for Sen. Wiener, who has previously clashed with Musk over legislation concerning the privacy of LGBTQ youth. Wiener has not yet commented on Musk’s endorsement.
As the business world watches closely, the outcome of this bill could set a precedent for AI regulation across the nation, signaling the industry’s direction and the balance between innovation and safety.
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