California Pioneers First State Law for Frontier AI Safety
California has pioneered a new era in AI regulation with the signing of SB 53, the 'Transparency in Frontier Artificial Intelligence Act (TFAIA)', by Governor Newsom on September 29. This marks the first state-specific law targeting the safety and transparency of advanced AI models, known as frontier AI.
SB 53 focuses on preventing catastrophic risks posed by frontier models, which are defined as those trained with more than 10^26 computational operations. These models are required to adhere to four major obligations, with larger developers, those with annual revenues above $500 million, facing additional responsibilities. The law aims to promote transparency and reduce safety risks, but critics argue it could burden AI developers and potentially hinder innovation.
Newsom sees SB 53 as a blueprint for other states, especially in the absence of a comprehensive federal framework. Indeed, New York is considering its own frontier AI bill, the RAISE Act, and Congress is introducing its own legislation. California's Department of Technology and the Attorney General are empowered to enforce the law, with penalties up to $1 million per violation.
SB 53, by regulating frontier AI developers and imposing disclosure obligations, seeks to enhance safety and transparency. As other states, like New York, follow suit, a consistent national approach to frontier AI governance may emerge, shaping the future of this rapidly evolving field.
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