Newsom signs McNerney’s bill to assess potential AI safety risks

Gov. Gavin Newsom Wednesday signed Sen. Jerry McNerney’s SB 813, establishing a first-in-the-nation framework for independent, third-party assessments of potential safety risks posed by artificial intelligence systems.

“AI has the potential to improve our lives, but without effective guardrails, it poses significant risks. Just this week we learned that the most powerful AI systems teamed with AI agents pose real threats to humanity,” said Sen. McNerney, D-Pleasanton who also represents Manteca and all of San Joaquin County.

“Gov. Newsom’s signing of SB 813 sends a clear message that California is taking the lead on assessing AI’s safety risks, since Washington, D.C., is unable or unwilling to do so. This landmark law codifies one of the primary recommendations of the governor’s blue-ribbon panel on AI by establishing independent, third-party evaluations of artificial intelligence to help ensure that the technology remains safe and beneficial.”

For the full report, click here.