**California AI Bill Sparks Debate Among Tech Community**
A new California bill, SB 1047, is causing waves in Silicon Valley. The 'Safe and Secure Innovation for Frontier Artificial Intelligence Models Act' aims to enforce safety protocols for AI developers to prevent major threats like mass casualties or cyberattacks. Proposed in February, the bill also mandates an emergency stop button for AI models, annual third-party audits, and heavy penalties for non-compliance.
However, opposition is strong. Congressman Ro Khanna argues the bill could stifle innovation and harm small businesses. Venture capital firms and industry researchers, including Andreessen Horowitz and Fei-Fei Li, echo these concerns, fearing it will burden startups and hinder open-source development.
Big Tech voices, like Meta’s Yann LeCun, warn that overregulation could stifle research and innovation. Despite the controversy, the bill passed the Senate in May and now awaits a decision in the Assembly by August 31.