OpenAI Backs California AI Safety Bills, Calls for National Regulation

OpenAI, the developer of ChatGPT, announced on Wednesday its support for several AI safety bills in California, while simultaneously calling for the creation of mandatory national safety requirements to govern the technology. The move signals the company's strategy to proactively shape regulation at both the state and federal levels.

Support for State-Level Rules

In a blog post, OpenAI detailed its endorsement of four specific pieces of legislation, stating it will continue supporting state-level efforts "until the U.S. Congress acts." This action positions the influential AI lab at the center of the debate on how to manage the risks of advanced artificial intelligence.

The company is specifically backing the following California bills:

• SB 813: Aims to create infrastructure for independent safety assessments.
• AB 1405: Focuses on establishing standards for AI auditors.
• SB 1119: Intended to provide protections for young people.
• AB 1864: Designed to implement safeguards against AI-enabled biological threats.

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Push for a Federal Framework

OpenAI's conditional support for state laws underscores a broader industry preference for a unified federal framework over a complex patchwork of disparate state-by-state regulations. A national standard would create a more predictable and stable operating environment for AI developers and investors, reducing compliance costs and legal uncertainty.

This proactive engagement with lawmakers is a significant development for the technology sector. By helping to write the rules, large, well-capitalized firms can influence a regulatory landscape that aligns with their existing technology and safety infrastructure. This could provide an advantage over smaller competitors and shape the future direction of AI governance in the U.S.