⚡The AI Bill That Got Vetoed!

California governor vetoes controversial AI safety bill SB 1047

Key Points 

• Governor Newsom vetoed SB 1047, a bill aimed at regulating advanced AI models, citing concerns about its broad approach.

• Newsom highlighted that the bill could burden AI companies and failed to distinguish between high-risk and basic AI uses.

• Industry reactions were mixed; while Senator Wiener called it a setback, Google and Meta welcomed the veto as beneficial for innovation.

♨️News - California Governor Gavin Newsom decided to veto SB 1047 today—that’s the bill aimed at tightly regulating advanced AI models.

The decision wasn't too surprising, given that a lot of big names in Silicon Valley, like OpenAI, and even some prominent tech figures like Yann LeCun from Meta, were against it.

🤔But what made Newsom pull the plug? Newsom had already hinted earlier that he had some doubts about the bill. In his veto message, he explained why.

He pointed out that SB 1047 would create a heavy burden for AI companies and argued that it was too broad in its approach. It didn’t make distinctions between different kinds of AI—whether they were used in high-risk areas or just doing basic tasks. 

He also mentioned that the bill might give people a false sense of security about controlling AI, and that smaller, specialized models could end up being just as dangerous as the big ones the bill targeted. He believed cracking down too hard could end up stifling the kind of innovation that benefits everyone.

🧐How did the industry react? Senator Scott Wiener, the bill’s main author, described the veto as “a setback” for those advocating oversight of large corporations making crucial decisions that impact public safety and welfare.

In contrast, Google expressed gratitude, stating, “We join many small and larger developers in thanking Governor Newsom for helping California continue to lead in building responsible AI tools.” Meta also welcomed the decision, arguing that the bill would have stifled AI innovation and hindered business growth and job creation.

Microsoft announces major changes to AI Recall feature ahead of relaunch

Key Points 

• Microsoft has announced a significant revamp of its AI-powered Recall feature.

• The revamped Recall will now require users to opt in to use it, ensuring better privacy control. 

• Key updates include a full uninstall option, enhanced encryption for the screenshot database, and content filtering capabilities that allow users to block specific apps and websites, as well as manage sensitive data. 

🤓News - Microsoft has announced that it has revamped its AI-powered Recall feature, which captures screenshots of nearly everything you do on your computer. 

This feature faced backlash and was labeled a potential “privacy nightmare” when it was first introduced in May 2024, leading to its delayed release. Now, Microsoft plans to relaunch it in November with its new CoPilot+ computers.

👨🏻‍💻What changes has Microsoft made? Microsoft has made several important changes; these include:

• Opt-In Feature: Recall will now require users to opt in to use it, rather than being enabled by default.

• Uninstall Option: Users will have the option to fully uninstall Recall, including the AI models used to power it.

• Enhanced Security: The Recall database, which stores screenshots, is now fully encrypted to prevent unauthorized access. This encryption is linked to the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) required for Windows 11, ensuring that only authenticated users can access their data through Windows Hello.

• Content Filtering: Users can now filter out specific apps and block certain websites from appearing in the Recall database. The feature also includes sensitive content filtering to prevent the storage of passwords, credit card information, and sensitive health or financial data.

• Data Management: Users can delete specific time ranges or all content from particular apps or websites, as well as everything stored in Recall’s database.

• Device Restrictions: Recall will only operate on Copilot Plus PCs, preventing sideloading onto other Windows machines. It will verify that the PC has BitLocker, virtualization-based security, and other protections enabled.