Hollywood stars and filmmakers urge California governor to sign AI safety bill

Hollywood Stars and Filmmakers Urge California Governor to Sign AI Safety Bill

A coalition of notable Hollywood stars, filmmakers, and other artists are appealing to California Governor Gavin Newsom to sign Senate Bill 1047, a proposed law regarding AI safety. The bill, drafted by Senator Scott Wiener, mandates that AI developers implement comprehensive security protocols prior to training their models. The request emerges shortly after Governor Newsom signed two new AI-related bills into law.

The initiative, led by the organisation Artists for Safe AI, saw the group collectively pen an open letter to Newsom. The letter garnered signatures from over 125 well-known figures in the entertainment industry, including Jessica Alba, Jessica Chastain, Jane Fonda, Pedro Pascal, JJ Abrams, and Mark Ruffalo, among others. Prominent musicians such as Aloe Blacc, The Callous Daoboys, Spencer Compton, and Grimes, also joined the plea.

The letter begins by highlighting California’s role as a hub for some of the world’s most powerful and lucrative AI companies. “As you well know, some of the most lucrative and powerful companies in the world are currently racing to dominate the enormous business opportunity known as AI. Many of those companies are based in your home state of California,” the letter states.

Acknowledging Newsom’s recent legislative actions, the letter continues, “Last week, you signed two bills into law that will help protect the rights and livelihoods of artists from various unethical uses of AI by those big tech companies. We are genuinely grateful for that.”

However, the signatories stressed the urgency of signing SB 1047, framing it as a measure that transcends the interests of artists. “This bill is not about protecting artists — it’s about protecting everyone. Grave threats from AI used to be the stuff of science fiction, but not anymore,” the artists assert.

The letter references another open letter from over 100 current and former employees of leading AI companies such as OpenAI, Google DeepMind, Anthropic, Meta, and xAI, who voiced similar concerns. They caution that without proper safeguards, advanced AI models could be misappropriated for severe risks, including the proliferation of biological weapons and cyberattacks on critical infrastructure.

“SB 1047 would implement the safeguards these industry insiders are asking for. The bill passed with overwhelming majorities in the California State Senate and Assembly,” the artists note. They also cited public approval, with polling data showing that 77% of Californians support the bill.

The signatories emphasised their support for Newsom and his leadership, reminding him of his electorate, stating, “Governor Newsom, most of us are residents of California. We are your supporters. We voted for you.”

Recognising AI’s positive potential while stressing the need for cautious regulation, the letter concludes, “We fully believe in the dazzling potential of AI to be used for good. But we must also be realistic about the risks. Now is our moment, Governor, for California to set that practical and positive example for all of the United States, as well as the rest of the world.”

Currently, the fate of SB 1047 rests in Governor Newsom’s hands as advocates await his decision on whether it will be enacted into law.

Source: Noah Wire Services