California and AI: Capitol Weekly conference recap

In the second panel, “California – A Leader in AI Technology,” moderated by Politico AI and automation reporter Chase DiFeliciantonio, the conversation became more focused on the Golden State’s place in the world of AI.

The panelists — Sen. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton; Sara Flocks, the legislative and strategic campaigns director for the California Federation of Labor Unions; Raissa D’Souza, founding co-director of the UC Davis AI Center in Engineering; and Andrea Deveau, managing partner of the lobbying firm Deveau Burr Group – began by pondering how AI should be regulated in California, proposing that the state quash monopolistic ownership of the tech industry, establish statewide regulatory standards, increase public involvement and collaborate across industries.

“From the tech side, we’re regulating deep fakes, election integrity, child protection…” Deveau said. “There are north of 50 bills dealing with AI right now, so it’s difficult to find all these bills to implement in consistency. We need to work across the board with tech, labor, education and government.”

That said, McNerney argued that California’s creation of guardrails doesn’t necessarily slow down innovation – rather, that “regulation drives innovation.”

For the full report, click here.