Elon Musk Backs California’s AI Safety Bill: A Surprising Turnaround

Elon Musk has come out in support of California’s SB 1047, a bill that requires makers of very large AI models to create and document safeguards against those models causing serious harm.

“This is a tough call and will make some people upset, but, all things considered, I think California should probably pass the SB 1047 AI safety bill,” he wrote on X on Monday afternoon. “For over 20 years, I have been an advocate for AI regulation, just as we regulate any product/technology that is a potential risk.”

Musk — whose own large AI model company, xAI, would be subject to SB 1047’s requirements despite his pledge to leave California — has warned of the dangers of runaway AI in the past.

Meanwhile, rival outfit OpenAI recently announced it opposes the bill, supporting an alternative bill instead.