Ex OpenAI Staff Criticize Company’s Opposition to SB 1047

Ex-OpenAI researchers criticize the company’s stance against California’s AI safety bill, urging Newsom to support regulation for responsible AI development.

The decision of to oppose California’s bill, SB 1047, to prevent AI disasters has disappointed but not shocked two former researchers who resigned this year over safety concerns. William Saunders and Daniel Kokotajlo have already cautioned that OpenAI is engaged in a “reckless” race for supremacy.

“In a letter shared with Politico, they state that our former boss, Sam Altman, has called for AI regulation on multiple occasions,” and they request that California Governor Gavin Newsom sign the legislation. “Now that real regulation is being discussed, he is against it,” “With proper regulation, we hope OpenAI may yet live up to its mission statement of building AGI safely,” the two continue.

Rival OpenAI company Anthropic has voiced support for the measure but has also raised specific issues and requested changes. Amodei, the CEO, wrote to Newsom on Thursday, stating that although the updated bill’s “benefits likely outweigh its costs,” it is still not entirely endorsed. Several of the original provisions have now been adopted.