As AI technologies continue to evolve at a rapid pace, a new bill in California aims to shape AI policy across the state and help increase consumer privacy and protection.
Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, introduced Senate Bill 313 last week to align California law with the principles of President Biden’s Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights.
“AI can do a lot and there are certainly benefits, but it can’t be trusted to regulate itself,” Sen. Dodd said in a press release. “Like any new industry we’ve seen, safeguards must be added as the risks emerge. Think of the auto industry. Over the years we’ve adopted speed limits, seatbelts, and airbags. Now is the time for AI oversight to catch up, increasing consumer protections with the help of proactive, thoughtful policy.”
The president’s document outlines the Biden administration’s vision for how all organizations – from government agencies to companies – can build or deploy automated systems that are rooted in democratic values and protect civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy.
His five key principles would guard against unsafe or ineffective systems, prevent algorithmic discrimination, ensure data privacy, notify consumers when AI systems are being used, and give consumers a chance to opt out.
To advance these five pillars, Sen. Dodd said he intends to amend his bill to provide notice when people are interacting with AI-driven government communications.
The bill is an extension of previous legislation, including Sen. Dodd’s co-authorship of the California Consumer Privacy Act. According to the press release, he introduced the first AI-drafted resolution earlier this year, the Senate Concurrent Resolution 17, which calls for the responsible use of AI.
