California is at a crossroads for artificial intelligence regulation

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has a big decision to make: whether or not to sign the country’s only major regulations on artificial intelligence.

State lawmakers sent a bill to his desk last month that, if passed, would require AI companies to test their models for potential harms to society before releasing them. It would also enshrine whistleblower protections for employees of AI companies.

Powerful people have lined up against the bill, urging Newsom to veto it, from Rep. Nancy Pelosi to San Francisco Mayor London Breed. On Monday around 120 current and former employees of the biggest AI companies came out in support of the new regulations.

Here & Now‘s Lisa Mullins speaks with Ina Fried, chief technology correspondent for Axios.

This article was originally published on WBUR.org.