California Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a proposed artificial intelligence (AI) safety bill that had drawn significant opposition from major technology companies. The bill aimed to establish some of the first AI regulations in the U.S.

Governor Newsom expressed concerns that the bill might slow innovation and cause AI developers to relocate outside of California. He noted that the bill did not adequately differentiate between AI systems deployed in high-risk situations and those performing more basic functions, saying it imposed stringent standards across the board.

Authored by Senator Scott Wiener, the bill would have required advanced AI systems to undergo safety assessments and be equipped with a “kill switch” to disable the AI if it became a threat. It also called for mandatory government oversight of powerful AI systems, known as “Frontier Models.”

Senator Wiener criticized the veto, arguing that it allows companies to continue creating powerful technologies without government regulation. He also pointed out that, with Congress unable to pass significant AI regulations, this decision leaves U.S. AI developers free of restrictions.

Although Governor Newsom blocked this particular bill, he also revealed plans to work on measures to protect the public from AI risks. He has engaged experts to help create safeguards around AI technology. In recent weeks, he has also signed 17 other pieces of legislation, including laws designed to fight misinformation and deepfake media, which are often generated using AI.

California, home to leading AI companies like OpenAI (the creator of ChatGPT), plays a pivotal role in the global tech landscape. Any state regulations on AI would have far-reaching effects both nationally and internationally.

Major technology companies such as OpenAI, Google, and Meta had strongly opposed the bill, warning that it would hinder the development of this critical technology.