Sen. Dodd’s Generative AI Accountability Act Clears Assembly

SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, announced today the California Assembly has approved his legislation that would build upon recent directives from President Joe Biden and Gov. Gavin Newsom addressing the unprecedented growth of generative artificial intelligence technology by encouraging continued innovation while ensuring the rights and opportunities of all Californians are protected.

“We know generative AI has tremendous potential to improve our lives and the functioning of government,” Sen. Dodd said. “However, it also presents risks, specifically the threat to consumer privacy, transparency and fairness. My proposal will help identify potential problems with these emerging systems and develop appropriate guidelines to protect our state and the public.”

The 2023 White House Blueprint for an AI Bill of Rights, in addition to recent executive guidance from Gov. Newsom, establish a framework for addressing concerns including AI-driven algorithms that discriminate against people based on income levels or race, and the effects of the technology on our workforce. Additionally, the president and governor have underscored threats posed by AI to data and consumer privacy, and the potential for misusing the technology to deceive and defraud.

Sen. Dodd’s proposed California Generative AI Accountability Act, also known as Senate Bill 896, will guide the decision-making of state agencies, departments and subdivisions in the review, adoption, management, governance and regulations of AI technologies. One provision in the bill would require state agencies to notify users when they are interacting with AI. Further, the act encourages the state to invest in AI education and build AI competency in the state’s workforce. It also requires state agencies to consider opportunities in which generative AI can improve the efficiency, effectiveness, accessibility and equity of government operations.

The bill passed the Assembly on a unanimous vote and heads to Gov. Gavin Newsom following a Senate concurrence vote.

SB 896 is a follow-up to Sen. Dodd’s Senate Concurrent Resolution 17, adopted last year, which sets forth many of the ideas and was the first AI-drafted state resolution in history.

###

Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Solano, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties. More information on Senator Bill Dodd can be found at www.senate.ca.gov/dodd.