OpenAI Backs California AI Labeling Bill

Having previously opposed SB 1047—another AI-related bill—OpenAI now supports AB 3211, which calls for the inclusion of watermarks on content generated by AI.

The ChatGPT chatbot’s creator, OpenAI, an artificial intelligence business, apparently favors a new measure that requires information created with AI to be labeled.

According to Reuters, on August 26, OpenAI Chief Strategy Officer Jason Kwon endorsed bill AB 3211, which would mandate watermarks in the metadata of AI-generated images, videos, and audio snippets.

The source claims that Kwon thinks labeling content created by AI will make it easier for people to distinguish it from stuff created by humans. According to the research, the bill’s implementation would be especially beneficial in light of the proliferation of false material regarding political candidates.

Kwon said:

“New technology and standards can help people understand the origin of content they find online, and avoid confusion between human-generated and photorealistic AI-generated content.”

Adobe and Microsoft are reportedly among AB 3211’s other investors.

OpenAI has resisted a different measure of AI.

According to recent sources, OpenAI has expressed support for California’s AB 3211 AI law, following its previous opposition to SB 1047, another bill about AI.

SB 1047, introduced on February 7, would require AI developers to assess some of their models for safety. Senators Richard Roth, Susan Rubio, and Henry Stern co-authored the proposal, which California state senator Scott Wiener put up.

However, the goal of AB 3211, which California State Assemblymember Buffy Wicks introduced on February 16, is to mandate the labeling of content created by artificial intelligence.

OpenAI’s Kwon alerted Wiener and California Governor Gavin Newsom to the potential drawbacks of SB 1047 in a separate letter dated August 21. He maintained that SB 1047 would hinder innovation and urged the US to give AI developers clarity while maintaining public safety.

In a letter dated August 21, Kwon stated, “SB 1047 would threaten that growth, slow the pace of innovation, and lead California’s world-class engineers and entrepreneurs to leave the state in search of greater opportunity elsewhere.”

In 2024, California sought to introduce 65 bills about AI regulation.

Numerous legislative measures in California seek to address AI legislation, such as bills SB 1047 and AB 3211.

This legislative season, California state politicians attempted to submit 65 measures that touched on artificial intelligence, according to Reuters. Among those efforts are steps to guarantee that every algorithmic judgment is objectively demonstrated and safeguard the departed people’s intellectual property from being used by AI firms.

Recorded by the nonprofit news organization CalMatters, AB 3211 was ordered to a third reading after passing its second on August 26. Should it pass by the legislature session’s end on August 31, it will go to Governor Newsom for a sign or veto by September 30.