The AI bills to watch before California legislators adjourn

California lawmakers are particularly concerned about how AI shows up in the workplace. Democratic Sen. Jerry McNerney is trying to get the No Robo Bosses Act passed for the second year in a row, after Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a similar bill last year.

The latest version of the bill aims to address Newsom’s concerns while still regulating the use of automated decision systems in the workplace, by prohibiting employers from exclusively relying on them when deciding whether to discipline, fire or deactivate a worker.

Instead, a human reviewer would have to conduct their own evaluation and compile supporting documentation for the decision. The measure would also give workers the right to request a copy of the data the automated decision system is using to evaluate them.

Employers would have to notify workers when they are fired or disciplined primarily based on the use of an automated decision system. The employee would have a right to request a copy of the data and corroborating evidence used to make the decision.

“SB 947 establishes commonsense guardrails to ensure that California businesses are not relying on robo bosses to fire or discipline workers. AI must remain a tool controlled by humans, not the other way around,” McNerney said in a statement.

For the full report, click here.