California AI Bias Bill Faces More Intense Tech Opposition

The nation’s most far-reaching effort to combat AI discrimination faces a critical test in the California Legislature later this month amid strong opposition from tech companies and the prospect of Congress preempting all such state-level AI rules.

The state Senate Appropriations Committee will decide over the next two weeks whether the bill (AB 1018) survives and gets a full vote before lawmakers adjourn Sept. 12. The panel gutted a different version of the bill last year, causing Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D) to withdraw her measure.

A key player in California tech legislation, Bauer-Kahan has indicated she plans to ...