Entertainment Leaders Pen Letter Urging Newsom to Sign AI Safety Bill

Hollywood rallies for AI safety legislation: More than 125 entertainment industry leaders have signed a letter urging California Governor Gavin Newsom to sign a bill requiring advanced AI developers to implement safety measures.

• The bill, SB 1047, introduced by Senator Scott Wiener, would mandate that AI developers share safety plans with the state’s attorney general and have mechanisms to shut down AI models if they pose a threat to public safety.
• Signatories include prominent figures such as J.J. Abrams, Shonda Rhimes, Judd Apatow, Ava DuVernay, Mark Hamill, Jane Fonda, and SAG-AFTRA leaders Fran Drescher and Duncan Crabtree-Ireland.
• The letter emphasizes the potential grave threats posed by AI, which were once considered science fiction but are now seen as real concerns by industry experts and policymakers.

Industry divide and opposition: The bill has sparked debate within the tech and political spheres, with major players taking opposing stances on its potential impact.

• Tech giants like Meta and OpenAI, along with industry group Chamber of Progress, oppose the bill, arguing it could hinder innovation.
• Democratic congressional leaders, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Representatives Ro Khanna and Zoe Lofgren, have urged Newsom to veto the bill, citing ongoing federal efforts to address AI regulation.
• Supporters of the bill include the Center for AI Safety, prominent AI researchers, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, as well as over 100 current and former employees of AI-related companies.

California’s proactive approach: Supporters argue that California should take the lead in AI regulation, given the typically slower pace of federal legislation in the tech sector.

• Actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt emphasized the need for caution, stating, “Move as fast as we can while being careful not to break anything,” in contrast to Silicon Valley’s “Move fast and break things” mantra.
• Governor Newsom has acknowledged the complexity of the decision, noting the division among stakeholders and the persuasive arguments on both sides.

Broader context of AI legislation: SB 1047 is part of a larger trend of AI-related bills being considered by the California state Legislature in response to public concerns about rapidly advancing technology.

• The entertainment industry has been particularly vocal about AI’s potential impact on jobs, with recent strikes by SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America addressing AI-related concerns.
• Newsom recently signed bills protecting actors’ digital likenesses and combating deepfakes in political ads, demonstrating California’s active role in addressing AI challenges.

Hollywood’s appeal to Newsom: The letter signatories, many of whom are California residents and vocal Democrats, remind Newsom of their support and urge him to prioritize public safety over tech industry interests.

• Actor Mark Ruffalo, a known Newsom supporter, emphasized the importance of implementing basic guardrails for new technology proactively.
• The letter concludes by appealing to Newsom’s leadership, stating, “We want to continue to believe that you are a leader who will stand up for everyone’s wellbeing, not just for a few Silicon Valley giants.”

Balancing innovation and safety: The debate surrounding SB 1047 highlights the ongoing challenge of regulating emerging technologies while fostering innovation.

• The bill’s supporters argue for proactive measures to prevent potential catastrophes, while opponents worry about stifling technological progress.
• As AI continues to advance rapidly, policymakers face the complex task of crafting regulations that protect public safety without hampering beneficial developments in the field.