On Wednesday, the California Assembly passed SB 1047, a heavy-handed AI regulatory bill, sending it to the governor. Passage of the legislation comes amidst a growing chorus of opposition from members of Congress, local business groups, and national AI leaders. Chamber of Progress and a coalition of tech advocates and leaders sent a letter to California Gov. Gavin Newsom this week, urging the governor to veto SB 1049.

“The California legislature is passing laws based on science fiction fantasies of what AI could look like,” said Chamber of Progress Senior Tech Policy Director Todd O’Boyle. “This bill has more in common with Blade Runner or The Terminator than the real world. We shouldn’t hamstring California’s leading economic sector over a theoretical scenario. Lawmakers should focus on addressing real-life bad actors and harms while empowering the best minds in California to continue innovating.”

Organizations signing this week’s veto letter to Gov. Newsom include Chamber of Progress, Bay Area Council, Context Fund, Engine, NetChoice, R Street Institute, Silicon Valley Leadership Group, and TechFreedom. Read the full letter here.

During consideration of SB 1047 in the Senate and in the Assembly, Chamber of Progress raised concerns about the bill’s impact with California lawmakers during legislative hearings and throughout the amendment process.

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Chamber of Progress (progresschamber.org) is a center-left tech industry policy coalition promoting technology’s progressive future.  We work to ensure that all Americans benefit from technological leaps, and that the tech industry operates responsibly and fairly.  

Our corporate partners do not have a vote on or veto over our positions. We do not speak for individual partner companies and remain true to our stated principles even when our partners disagree.